Talented AUNZ XV squad to play Lions

Kurt Eklund in a different jersey will turn out for the AUNZ team against the Lions PHOTO: RUGBY AU

A stacked AUNZ Invitational XV squad will tackle the British and Irish Lions ion Adelaide Oval on Saturday night - the first time the trans-Tasman selection have assembled since 1989.

The side also boasts a strong coaching contingent, with Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss joined by former All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster, Western Force head coach Simon Cron, and Reds assistant coach Zane Hilton.

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There are eight players who have played for the All Blacks; David Havili, Flau Fakatava, Hoskins Sotutu, Ngani Laumape, Shaun Stevenson and Shannon Frizell while AJ. Lam, George Dyer, Joshua Fusitu'a and Kurt Eklund have yet to don the All Blacks jersey.

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen and Aidan Ross have both played for the All Ablacks but now play for the Reds.

Squad:

Aidan Ross (Australia/New Zealand, Queensland Reds)

AJ Lam (New Zealand, Blues)

Angus Blyth* (Australia, Queensland Reds)

Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Australia, Western Force)

Daniel Botha* (Australia, NSW Waratahs)

Darby Lancaster* (Australia, NSW Waratahs)

David Havili (New Zealand, Crusaders)

Folau Fakatava (New Zealand, Highlanders)

George Dyer* (New Zealand, Chiefs)

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips* (Australia, Queensland Reds)

Hoskins Sotutu (New Zealand, Blues)

Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (New Zealand/Samoa, Queensland Reds)

Jock Campbell* (Australia, Queensland Reds)

Joe Brial* (Australia, Queensland Reds)

Joey Walton* (Australia, NSW Waratahs)

Joshua Fusitu’a (New Zealand, Blues)

Kalani Thomas* (Australia, Queensland Reds)

Kurt Eklund* (New Zealand, Blues)

Lachlan Anderson* (Australia, Queensland Reds)

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto* (Australia, Queensland Reds)

Mac Grealy* (Australia, Western Force)

Marika Koroibete (Australia, Panasonic Wild Knights)

Matt Philip* (Australia, NSW Waratahs)

Ngani Laumape (New Zealand, Moana Pasifika)

Pete Samu (Australia, NSW Waratahs)

Richie Asiata* (Australia, Queensland Reds)

Seru Uru* (Australia, Queensland Reds)

Shannon Frizell (New Zealand, Toshiba Brave Lupus)

Shaun Stevenson (New Zealand, Kubota Spears)

Tane Edmed* (Australia, NSW Waratahs)