The STACKED Pacific Islands XV that could face the British and Irish Lions
A Pacific Island XV is being lined up to fill a gap in the British and Irish Lions' touring schedule in Australia next year.
With the British and Irish Lions reportedly holding talks to add a Pacific Islands fixture to their tour schedule in Australia next year, we take a look at a potential XV they could face.
Following the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels, there is a void that needs filling in the Lions’ touring schedule between the first two Test matches and according to reports, a team comprising of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga stars could be pieced together to tackle the tourists.
Here is the star-studded XV we would pick to tackle the Lions.
Pacific Islands XV
15 Israel Folau
The former Wallabies star won’t be the most popular pick after his exit from Australia for controversial social media posts, but Israel Folau is still an incredibly talented player and would almost certainly make the squad. The full-back missed the Rugby World Cup last year after switching international allegiances from Australia to Tonga and edges the brilliant Samoa back Duncan Paia’aua and Tongan Charles Piutau.
14 Semi Radradra
The team’s head coach would be spoilt for choice in the backs and particularly on the wing and in this case, we have selected Fiji star Semi Radradra. He could easily have been picked in the centres but there is plenty of stars in there too and he will be no less impactful on the right wing. He beats out fellow countrymen Vinaya Habosi and Selesitino Ravutaumada for a spot in our XV but really there is no shortage of options.
13 George Moala
Another challenging selection headache with Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu and La Rochelle superstar UJ Seuteni both missing out to Clermont and Tonga powerhouse George Moala. The ex-All Black has played just a handful of times for Tonga since switching international allegiances but he has been one of the form midfielders in Europe for several seasons now. He could easily slot into the number 12 jersey too and would be a serious threat to any defence.
British and Irish Lions line up ‘box-office’ Pacific Island clash to fill 2025 fixture void
12 Pita Ahki
Choices aplenty again but we have backed an all-Tongan midfield with Toulouse sensation Pita Ahki in our number 12 jumper. A key cog in the Top 14 and Champions Cup-winning side’s backline, Ahki is an all-court player and one of the best defensive centres in the business. He too could move out to the number 13 channel with Ngani Laumape an option at number 12 as he qualifies to represent Tonga now while Malakai Fekitoa also misses the cut.
11 Josua Tuisova
The Fijian powerhouse was an easy pick with the only challenge being whether you start him in the centres or on the wing. Josua Tuisova is a world-class talent and nigh on impossible to bring to ground when he is rampaging into a defence.
10 Caleb Muntz
Injury denied Caleb Muntz the opportunity to shine at last year’s Rugby World Cup but the fly-half would be the perfect playmaker for this sensational backline. He would get stiff competition particularly from Paia’aua and Lima Sopoaga.
9 Frank Lomani
An all-Fijian half-back pairing with Frank Lomani linking up with Muntz. The scrum-half is a real livewire threat around the fringes but backs that up with a strong kicking game. He beats out fellow countryman Simione Kuruvoli and Samoan Jonathan Taumateine for the number nine jumper.
8 Bill Mata
The selections don’t get any easier in the pack but we have opted for the physicality and skills of Bill Mata in the number eight jersey. The Fijian has a brilliant offloading ability and is a real work-horse. Ex-All Black Steven Luatua is another option for the jersey.
7 Levani Botia
Levani Botia is certainly entering the latter stages of his career but it would be a real shame not to see him in this side and perhaps even captaining it. The La Rochelle star has reinvented himself as a world-class openside flanker having previously terrorised defences from the number 12 jersey. He would be ably backed up by Samoa’s Jordan Taufua who is another option across the back-row.
6 Theo McFarland
Another rather straightforward pick as Samoa and Saracens star Theo McFarland slots into our pack on the side of the scrum. Frankly, he would probably feature in World XV right now. Another option would be Gloucester and Fiji star Albert Tuisue who could also feature at number eight or in the second-row.
Predicting the British and Irish Lions team for opening Wallabies Test
5 Vaea Fifita
Another Tongan and another easy selection with the ex-All Black able to comfortably play in the back-row too. Vaea Fifita is a real superstar and after a dip in form during the latter stages of his career in New Zealand, he has hit new highs with the Scarlets and Tonga. He would add a serious amount of physicality, grunt and skill to any forward pack. Bristol Bears and Samoan Chris Vui misses out to the Tonga star but would be a great addition too.
4 Sam Lousi
An all-Tongan second row as Sam Lousi links up with Fifita in the engine room. While the Fijian and Samoan locks will feel hard done by, Lousi is just too good to ignore. He too brings serious aggression but does not lack in skillset and would add huge value to the side.
3 Ben Tameifuna
Arguably one of the best tighthead props in the game, Ben Tameifuna did have strong competition from the likes of Charlie Faumuina and Michael Alaalatoa but he is an easy choice for the number three jersey. He too could captain the side having skippered his country at the Rugby World Cup.
2 Sam Matavesi
Sam Matavesi would add yet another jackaling threat to this line-up as the Fiji star edges fellow countryman Tevita Ikanivere and Samoa’s Sama Malolo to the number two jersey.
1 Eroni Mawi
Fijian Eroni Mawi completes our XV as he beats Tonga’s Tau Koloamatangi to a place in our team. The likes of Faumuina and Tameifuna could also switch sides of the front-row if needed but Mawi is a handy scrummager and combines that with a serious work rate around the park too.