Champion-winning Crusaders captain David Havili has been announced as part of the AUNZ Invitational XV squad for the British & Irish Lions tour match on July 12 in Adelaide.
Havili is joined by Kiwi trio Shannon Frizell, Shaun Stevenson and Folau Fakatava as the first wave of signings for the combined team.
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The inside centre inspired the Crusaders to the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific title, starting in 14 games, including the Final.
He came off the bench for New Zealand against Australia, Japan and Italy in 2024, adding to his 30 caps.
Havili will suit up in the backs alongside explosive outside back Shaun Stevenson, set to play in Japan in 2026.
Stevenson debuted for the All Blacks in 2023 and will return to Kuobta Spears after initially joining them at the start of the year before heading back to the Chiefs.
Fakatava has also been included, who has established himself as one of the most exciting scrumhalves in Super Rugby.
The Highlander have two Test caps to his name, after an injury-interrupted season limited him to just seven starts this year.
Frizell rounds out the selections in the back-row, linking up with his former Highlanders teammate.
The explosive forward guided Brave Lupus to the Japan Rugby League One title, scoring 11 tries in the season.
Frizell also started at number eight for the Barbarians in last week’s defeat to the Springboks.
"There is plenty of excitement about this fixture, and that's been demonstrated by the number of quality international players eager to be involved," RA Head of High Performance Peter Horne said.
"We are delighted with the quality of the New Zealand contingent announced today and look forward to naming more players as the squad comes together.
"We want this team to entertain the big Adelaide crowd and provide the Lions with a tough contest as they head into their three-Test series with the Wallabies.
"The last time the Lions played a combined Australia-New Zealand side, it went right down to the wire - and we’re hoping to deliver another competitive contest."
