Kurtley Beale will lead the First Nations and Pacific Combined Stars against the British and Irish Lions
Former Wallaby Kurtley Beale will lead the First Nations and Pacific Islands combined team that will face the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne next month. Rugby Australia announced five players who will wear the jersey. To Beale, with 95 test matches, will be joined by stars like Rob Leota and Seru Uru, as well as two of the brightest stars of Australian Super Rugby, Andy Muirhead and Charlie Gamble. Beale was a key figure for the Wallabies when they last faced the Lions in 2013, playing in all three test matches. He is remembered for an unfortunate slip while attempting to kick the winning penalty at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in the first match of the series. When speaking to the media in Perth before the Lions’ tour opener against the Western Force on Saturday, Beale responded with a smile to questions about the infamous slip.“No, look, that was obviously a big disappointment in that first game, an embarrassing moment, but with a lot of learnings,” he told the media. “From that day on, I now wear cleats.
Kurtley Beale
“Crucial moment in the series, right? I am very grateful to have strong teammates around me to lift me up and focus on the next game, the second one. I haven’t seen it properly yet, but you learn from that”.
Kurtley Beale
“It’s going to be an incredible match, an incredible series. I’m sharing stories with many of the guys here on the team, about how great it’s going to be, and making sure they enjoy it and take advantage of the week and the opportunity to play with world-class players”.
Kurtley Beale
In the third line he will be accompanied by two Wallabies on trial, Uru and Gamble, from the Waratahs. Uru, born in Fiji, played an important role in the Queensland Reds’ advance to the Super Rugby Pacific finals earlier this month and recently re-signed with the team, while Gamble will represent his Tongan and New Zealand ancestors.
Former Wallaby and Tonga-born Toutai Kefu will coach the team that will celebrate Pacific Islands and First Nations cultures across the country. He will be joined by Sekope Keep, Glen Ella and All Blacks legend Tana Umaga.“Playing against the Lions in 2001 is a memory I will always treasure and I am excited, on behalf of all our players and staff, that a new generation can experience that same feeling,” Kefu said.
Toutai Kefu
“Representing the many unique cultures of Australia and the Pacific in the same team is a truly special occasion for rugby and I know that the players and staff feel a deep sense of honor to enter this match against the Lions between the first and second test matches.
Toutai Kefu
“By selecting Kurtley, Rob, Seru, Charlie and Andy, we have demonstrated our intention to align a highly competitive team against the Lions, with players who have experience both internationally and nationally and who are in good form for their Super Rugby Pacific teams. It promises to be an exciting contest and a significant moment in rugby history”.
Toutai Kefu
