Former Wallaby Kurtley Beale is in a race against time to recover and be fit for the combined First Nations & Pacific XV clash against the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne next month. Rugby Australia announced that Beale is one of five players selected to wear the jersey in this highly anticipated match. The news of Beale’s call-up arrived a few hours after it was confirmed that the talented player would not participate in the opening match of the tour between the Western Force and the Lions. Originally, Beale was scheduled to play as fullback, but a hamstring injury forced him to withdraw, leading the Wallabies to release Ben Donaldson for the match. Alongside Beale, international stars Rob Leota and Seru Uru were also called up, as well as two of the brightest figures in Australian Super Rugby: Andy Muirhead and Charlie Gamble. Beale was a key player for the Wallabies in their last encounter against the Lions in 2013, participating in all three matches of the series. A particularly remembered moment was an unfortunate slip while attempting to kick the winning penalty at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in the first match of the series.
When asked by the media in Perth before the Lions’ tour opener against the Western Force, Beale responded with a smile when questioned about that incident.No, look, that was obviously a real disappointment in that first match, an embarrassing moment, but with many lessons learned.
Kurtley Beale
From that day forward, I now use tacos.
Kurtley Beale
It’s going to be an incredible match, an incredible series. I’m sharing stories with many of the guys here, 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 against world-class players.It was a crucial moment in the series, wasn’t it? I was really grateful to have strong teammates around me to lift me up and focus on the second match. I still haven’t watched it properly, but you learn from that.
Kurtley Beale
Meanwhile, Melbourne local player Leota will have the opportunity to represent his Samoan and New Zealand heritage when he puts on the combined XV jersey. The 21-test player had been impressing after his move to the Waratahs for the 2025 season, but was excluded from the Wallabies Fiji test team after announcing his move to the Top 14 for next season.
In the third line, Leota will be accompanied by Uru, also a Wallabies player, 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 Zealander ancestry. Former Wallaby and Tongan-born Toutai Kefu will be the coach of the team that will celebrate Pacific Islands and First Nations cultures across the country. He will be accompanied 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.
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 shape for their Super Rugby Pacific teams. It promises to be an exciting contest and a significant moment in rugby history.
Toutai Kefu
