All Blacks and Wallabies snubs co-captain star-studded AUNZ XV against British & Irish Lions

Wallabies utility forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and All Blacks centre David Havili will co-captain the AUNZ Invitational XV in Saturday’s clash against the British and Irish Lions in Adelaide.

The AUNZ Invitational XV is coached by Queensland Reds boss Les Kiss, who is leading the first combined Australia-New Zealand side since 1989 in what will be the Lions’ last match before their three-Test series against the Wallabies.

Kiss’ matchday squad for Saturday features 16 internationally capped players, with eight New Zealand and as many Australia Test representatives included in the 23-man group.

Salakaia-Loto and Havili were omitted from the Wallabies and All Blacks squads selected for their respective series against the Lions and France.

All Blacks midfield combination

Havili will form a potent midfield partnership with fellow All Black Ngani Laumape, while Folau Fakatava and Tane Edmed are the starting halfback duo.

The rest of the backline sees one-Test All Black Shaun Stevenson lining up at full-back and he is joined in an exciting back three by AJ Lam and Marika Koroibete, who are the starting wings.

In the forwards, Salakaia-Loto will partner Reds team-mate Angus Blyth in the second-row while the tight five is completed by hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who packs down in the front-row alongside fellow Queenslanders Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Aidan Ross, who recently joined the Brisbane-based franchise from the Chiefs.

Meanwhile, another New Zealand Test squad discard Hoskins Sotutu will start at number eight and is joined in the back-row by fellow All Black Shannon Frizell and Wallaby Pete Samu, who are the starting flankers.

Wallabies duo Matt Philip (lock) and Jock Campbell (full-back) are the players with Test experience on the replacements bench.

James O’Connor issues message to Joe Schmidt after being left in ‘limbo’

Philip, Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, George Dyer and Joe Brial will provide back-up for the forwards, while Campbell is joined by fellow Reds players Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips as backline cover.

Kiss is looking forward to the challenge of taking on the famous touring team and is happy with his selections ahead of the eagerly anticipated encounter.

“After speaking with all the players we thought the co-captaincy model with natural leaders like David and Lukhan would really suit this team and what we represent,” he said.

“This week has been building nicely and the boys have put a lot of time into getting to know each other.

“In forming new bonds many of them have discovered they have more in common than they originally thought.

“We have named an experienced, powerful starting side for Saturday and we know our bench will make an impact when they get their opportunity.”

AUNZ Invitational XV to face the British and Irish Lions

AUNZ Invitational XV: 15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 AJ Lam, 13 Ngani Laumape, 12 David Havili (cc), 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (cc), 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa,
1 Aidan Ross
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Joshua Fusitu’a, 18 George Dyer, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Joe Brial, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Jock Campbell

Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Kick-off: 19:30 local (11:00 BST, 10:00 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

READ MORE: All Blacks and Wallabies aplenty in finalised AUNZ XV squad to face British and Irish Lions