Host of internationals in Australia-New Zealand squad to face Lions / Photo: Saeed KHAN - AFP
Host of internationals in Australia-New Zealand squad to face Lions
Head coach Les Kiss included 18 internationals in his combined Australia-New Zealand squad named Monday to face the British and Irish Lions, hoping they can produce "something special".
Andy Farrell's tourists meet the invitational XV in Adelaide on Saturday for their fifth and final warm-up game before the opening Test against the Wallabies on July 19 in Brisbane.
It is the first time since 1989 that Australia and New Zealand have joined forces, with a host of experienced players recruited.
They include All Blacks David Havili, Shannon Frizell and Hoskins Sotutu, with the Australia contingent led by Marika Koroibete, Pete Samu and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
There are 10 Australian internationals and eight from New Zealand in the squad with a combined 300 caps.
"There has been a lot of work behind the scenes to build this squad and it's exciting to see it come together," said Kiss, who felt the full force of the Lions last week when they crushed his Queensland Reds 52-12.
"We have quality coaches and a highly motivated group of players that represent the depth of talent across Australia and New Zealand.
"Each of them has a lot to play for and there's a real sense of anticipation about the unique opportunity in front of us," he added.
"As the first AUNZ side to be assembled in 36 years, we have the chance to do something pretty special in Adelaide."
Kiss, who will succeed Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach next year, is being assisted by former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster.
AUNZ Invitational squad:
Aidan Ross (Queensland Reds), AJ Lam (Auckland Blues), Angus Blyth (Queensland Reds), Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Western Force), Daniel Botha (NSW Waratahs), Darby Lancaster (NSW Waratahs), David Havili (Canterbury Crusaders), Folau Fakatava (Otago Highlanders), George Dyer (Waikato Chiefs), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Queensland Reds), Hoskins Sotutu (Auckland Blues), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Queensland Reds), Jock Campbell (Queensland Reds), Joe Brial (Queensland Reds), Joey Walton (NSW Waratahs), Joshua Fusitu'a (Auckland Blues), Kalani Thomas (Queensland Reds), Kurt Eklund (Auckland Blues), Lachlan Anderson (Queensland Reds), Lukhan Salakai-Loto (Queensland Reds), Mac Grealy (Western Force), Marika Koroibete (Panasonic Wild Knights), Matt Philip (NSW Waratahs), Ngani Laumape (Moana Pasifika), Pete Samu (NSW Waratahs), Richie Asiata (Queensland Reds), Seru Uru (Queensland Reds), Shannon Frizell (Toshiba Brave Lupus), Shaun Stevenson (Kubota Spears), Tane Edmed (NSW Waratahs)
(A.DuToit--TPT)
