Incoming Wallabies boss to lead AUNZ team against the British and Irish Lions as ex-Tonga coach gets First Nations & Pasifika XV gig

Queensland Reds boss Les Kiss has been unveiled as the AUNZ Invitational XV head coach to face the British & Irish Lions, Rugby Australia have confirmed.

Kiss will replace Joe Schmidt as the Wallabies boss next year but will get an early taste of international rugby against the Lions at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, 12 July.

It has also been confirmed that former Tonga coach Toutai Kefu has been announced as the head coach of the First Nations & Pasifika XV side who will play the Lions at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Tuesday, 22 July.

AUNZ Invitational XV and First Nations & Pasifika XVs coaches

Kiss will be assisted by former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, who has already been announced as an assistant for the fixture, which will be the first time since 1989 that Australia and New Zealand have combined on the field.

The full coaching staffs for both teams are set to be unveiled in due course.

“It’s a privilege to be able to lead the coaching group for the combined AUNZ Invitational XV,” Kiss said.

“The British & Irish Lions are one of world sport’s most renowned teams and to be able to play them at an iconic Australian venue such as the Adelaide Oval will be an incredible spectacle.

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“I’m looking forward to working with a coach like Ian, who has wide-ranging experience at the highest level of the game and linking up with the wider management in due course.”

Kefu who is currently coaching in Japan, was part of the Wallabies squad who were victorious in the 2001 Lions series and was previously head coach of Tonga for seven years.

“I feel honoured to be named head coach of the first ever First Nations & Pasifika XV,” Kefu said.

“First Nations and Pasifika people contribute massively to the game all around the world and the significance of this game in celebrating those ongoing contributions can’t be overstated, especially against a team with the history of the British & Irish Lions.

“I’m looking forward to getting together as a group in July and representing our people with a strong performance at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.”

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