The British & Irish Lions are in Melbourne for their final provincial match of the Qatar Airways Lions Men's Tour to Australia 2025 as players have a final chance to put their hand up for Test selection.
They face the First Nations & Pasifika XV, which is comprised of star players from First Nations, Māori and Pacific Island heritage.
The fixture comes on the back of two incredibly impressive wins from the tourists, 48-0 over AUNZ Invitational XV and 27-19 in the first Test against The Wallabies.
History
Like the AUNZ Invitational XV, the First Nations & Pasifika XV does not play every week.
Unlike the AUNZ side, the First Nations & Pasifika XV is the first of its kind.
It aims to celebrate and recognise the First Nations peoples, Samoan, Fijian, Tongan, Māori, and Cook Island cultures that contribute significantly to the rugby union community across Australia.
Head Coach and Wallaby legend Toutai Kefu leads the squad. Kefu, who hails from Tonga, played a crucial role in Australia's 1999 World Cup win and their first-ever series win over the British & Irish Lions in 2001.
Behind Kefu is Assistant Coach Tana Umaga, a former All Black great who earned 74 caps for New Zealand. Umaga led the All Blacks in the 2004 and 2005 seasons, and captained New Zealand to a 3-0 series victory over the Lions in 2005.
Squad
The First Nations & Pasifika is stacked full of talent all over the park.
Taniela Tupou starts in the front row as he attempts to work his way back into the Wallabies Test team following injury.
Darcy Swain and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto both start in the second row and have extensive international experience.
Charlie Gamble was very impressive for the Waratahs against the Tourists and starts in the back row.
Wallaby Filipo Daugunu starts on the left wing, and will want to force his way into the Test team after a shaky performance from the host nation in the first test.
Player to Watch
There are some massive names in the First Nations & Pasifika squad, but one stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Captain Kurtley Beale reached a level at his peak that very few players can claim in the game to have achieved.
In 2011, he was nominated for World Player of the Year and was an instrumental part of the Wallabies' success between 2011 and 2015.
His 10/15 axis with fly-half Bernard Foley was not only crucial to Australia's run to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, but it also led to many sides across the world adapting their attacking style to replicate the Wallabies' attacking system.
It must be said, however, Beale is no longer that player. At 36, he is more of a wily operator than a dynamic ball-carrying threat.
He will bring a tremendous amount of experience to a side that does not have a lot of time to prep for their game, and his leadership will be a massive part of any success the First Nations & Pasifika XV find against The Lions.
Venue
Marvel Stadium, so named after The Australian Football League (AFL) agreed to an 8-year sponsorship with Walt Disney Company Australia, will be the host for this fixture.
Situated in Melbourne's Docklands and possessing a retractable roof, it is home to six teams, five from the AFL and the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League.
It was Melbourne's venue for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, hosting Ireland's 43-21 defeat to France in the quarter-finals, as well as numerous group games.
Although it usually has a capacity of 56,347, Adele hosted a concert at Marvel Stadium to 76,150 people in 2017, which is the record attendance.
