Farrell to captain Lions against Pasifika team

Farrell to captain Lions against Pasifika team

Images courtesy of Getty
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First Nations & Pasifika XV vs. Irish Lions and British &

Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium Date: Tuesday 22 July Kick-off: 11:00 BST

On Tuesday, Owen Farrell will lead the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne’s First Nations and Pasifika XV.

Following an off-the-ball loss to AUNZ Invitational in Adelaide, the Saracen made their debut on the tour.

In a Lions starting lineup without any of the players who played in the first-test victory over Australia, Farrell will play inside center alongside Jamie Osborne from Ireland.

Ben Earl, Marcus Smith, and Alex Mitchell, who have appeared in every game of the tour, including the Dublin warm-up game against Argentina, are the three Brisbane Test players who are on the bench.

After being selected from the England camp in Argentina, Jamie George, a star of the 2017 tour in New Zealand, makes his first appearance at hooker.

Blair Kinghorn has returned from injury and is playing fullback.

Duhan van der Merwe is on the left, and Darcy Graham, one of the many cover recruits, is on the right. Both wings are Scottish.

The half-backs are Fin Smith and Ben White, just like they were in AUNZ’s rout.

James Ryan and Scott Cummings renew a partnership that they had with the Waratahs in game three in Australia, with Pierre Schoeman and Finlay Bealham positioned either side of George in the front row.

For the first time on tour, Jac Morgan will join Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock in the back row.

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Can anyone enter the Test team by force?

Given that so many of the 23 players are firmly outside Farrell’s preoccupations for Saturday’s second Test, the relevance of this game is questionable.

However, there are some interesting points.

Given that Hugo Keenan was inconsistent in his first Test, Kinghorn might be able to start. King is likely to succeed him.

If Farrell performs well on Tuesday, perhaps at the expense of Marcus Smith, will he be a bench contender on Saturday?

Garry Ringrose, who is recovering from a broken leg, was on a storming tour prior to being concussed in Canberra against the ACT Brumbies.

Does Farrell dare to place Ringrose ahead of Huw Jones in a midfield match to break up the Scottish midfield? Does he place Ringrose ahead of Bundee Aki, a countryman, on Saturday on the bench?

What about the back-up, if the Lions did a fantastic job in Brisbane and there is no way to see a change?

Beale named captain for the second time against Lions.

The seasoned Wallaby Kurtley Beale will assist Tuesday’s foes.

The 36-year-old played for the Lions in all three of their Test matches 12 years ago.

The 95-cap utility back failed to convert a penalty to win the first Test, losing in the process.

“There are some elite players with real talent. It’s an absolute privilege and great honor to guide them on to the Lions’ park, Beale said.

“I can impart some knowledge and experience regarding what to expect.” We want to attract a good-looking, healthy crowd.

After their first Test victory in Brisbane, “the red sea will be bursting with joy.” It will be a wonderful occasion.

Beale has recovered from a hamstring injury that prevented him from participating in the Lions’ opening tour game against the Lions.

The squad’s fly-half is one of six indigenous players, with the other players coming from countries with Pacific Island heritage.

It is the first game of its kind, a celebration of the cultures of the First Nations, Samoa, Tongan, Fijian, and Cook Islands.

We have the chance to represent our shared culture and families, Bee added.

Taniela Tupou, a tonga-born prop, and Filipo Daugunu, a Fiji-born wing, have both been released from the Australia camp. Toutai Kefu, a 1999 World Cup winner, coached the team.

The addition of those two to the team gives them an injection of confidence, according to Kefu.

Kurtley Beale slips in 2013 against the LionsImages courtesy of Getty

Line-ups

First Nations & Pasifika XV: Muirhead, Reilly, Foketi, Feliuai, Daugunu, Beale, Thomas, Ieli, Paenga-Amosa, Tupou, Swain, Salakaia-Loto, Uru, Gamble, Tualima,

Replacements: McLeod, Pearce, Doge, Vocevoce, Leota, Goddard, Debreczeni, and Asiata

Kinghorn, Graham, Osborne, Farrell (capt), Van der Merwe, F Smith, White, Schoeman, George, Bealham, Ryan, Cummings, Morgan, Van der Flier, Pollock, and other Irish and British Lions

Replacements: Ringrose, Sutherland, Clarkson, Brown, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, and Ashman.

Referee: Geo Referee Nika Amashukeli

Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) is Assistant Referee 1.

Andrea Piardi (Ita), Assistant Referee 2.

Marius Jonker (SA) TMO

related subjects

  • Irish Lions and British &
  • Rugby Union

Source: BBC

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