The demise of the Melbourne Rebels left a hole in the nine-game schedule for the British and Irish Lions next year.
Rugby Australia plans to field a team of players with First Nations and Pasifika heritage against the British and Irish Lions in July next year in Melbourne, following the demise of the Rebels.
Chief executive Phil Waugh confirmed on Tuesday that RA are in the final stages of discussions with Lions counterparts about the fixture being a team comprised of Australian players with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage, drawn from the ranks of the Super Rugby teams.“Given the popularity of rugby in the Pacific Island communities was one point, and the connection to the Victorian rugby community in Melbourne was another really important element,” Waugh said.
Former Melbourne Rebel star Kurtley Beale could be the ideal man to captain the side but he suffered an Achilles’ tendon rupture in June and it is uncertain if he’ll be offered another contract at the Western Force for 2025. “There have been some of our biggest names, but certainly not enough of them. So we definitely want to connect with Indigenous rugby supporters and participants, and work hard to bring into our game.”
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