Samu ruled ineligible to face Lions in midweek game

After Pete Samu was denied entry to the First Nations and Pasifika XV’s upcoming game against the tourists in Melbourne on Tuesday, Rugby Australia and the British and Irish Lions are at odds with one another.

Samu, who won the Champions Cup with French club Bordeaux in May and has 33 caps for Australia, was the first to be named in the group of players with Native American or Pacific Island heritage.

The back row forward has been suspended from the game because he does not meet the eligibility requirements, in an odd turn.

A representative for Rugby Australia said, “We had hoped he would play in this game.”

After the Lions’ initial rival, the Melbourne Rebels, lost, the game was scheduled for the First Nations and Pasifika XV, which Toutai Kefu, had been coaching.

Samu recently completed his Top 14 season with Bordeaux and made the move to the New South Wales Waratahs.

The First Nations and the Pasifika XV’s preparation for their first game against the Lions at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday is pleased, according to a spokesperson for Rugby Australia.

Since joining the First Nations and Pasifika squad, Pete Samu has been a highly valued member of the Waratahs.

The Lions raised Samu’s eligibility, according to First Nations and Pasifika XV coach Kefu.

“I still have to wonder why they did it, so I’m complaining.” Kefu, who has played for Australia 60 times, told the Sydney Morning Herald, “I suppose it’s what it is, but it’s a boost to our boys’ motivation.”

There is no denying that he [Samu] would have definitely strengthened our team because we are a team that has just been put together and that we are currently facing a significant challenge.

They must have been concerned that we would triumph. I’m not sure why they would do it.

Samu has been denied entry to the game, according to the Lions, but they simply cannot.

Assistant coach Johnny Sexton said on Friday, “I think it’s more the rules and regulations of what was agreed before the tour.”

Samu was allowed to play for the Australia and New Zealand Invitational XV last weekend, a game the Lions won with a score of 48-0, adding to the confusion.

To prevent the Test team from having to play twice in five days, the Lions will fly Ewan Ashman and Rory Sutherland from Scotland over the weekend to play First Nations and Pasifika XV.