First Nations & Pasifika XV head coach Toutai Kefu has dropped a star-studded wish list for his inaugural squad to tackle the British & Irish Lions in July.
Speaking with media on Monday, Kefu said wanted to name his squad "as soon as possible", citing Super Rugby Pacific player of the year Ardie Savea, Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale and boom backrower Langi Gleeson among his top targets.
Secure your tickets to the inaugural First Nations & Pasifika XV v Lions clash in Melbourne.
"Geez I'd love to have a crack at him (Ardie Savea). He might be available to the (AUNZ Invitational XV) but he'd be great to have for our team," Kefu told reporters.
"I don't know if Langi Gleeson's still hanging around but him, Rob Leota, Lukhan Salakai-Loto … Brandon Paenga-Amosa, even Zane Nonggorr from the Reds, he looks promising. I think there's plenty to choose from.
"I would love to see (Kurtley Beale) in my side … I'd love to see him at five-eighth.
"Hopefully over the next couple of weeks I can get my teeth in and start fleshing this team out and also the staff."
Kefu, who is currently coaching in Japan, joked Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt was to thank for his appointment but stressed the First Nations & Pasifika XV would represent "family" and "heritage" for past rugby players and their families in Australia.
"We've known each other for a while now so I'm sure he (Schmidt) probably had something to do with it. Maybe it was him that mentioned my name," Kefu said.
"My family was one of the first Polynesian families to come to Brisbane way back in the late 70s and I'm sure other players would have a similar story about how they came to be in Australia.
"First Nations and Pasifika people contribute massively to the game all around the world and the significance of this game in celebrating those ongoing contributions can’t be overstated." Kefu told reporters his coaching staff would also be comprised of people from Australian Pasifika and First Nations backgrounds despite early reports linking Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga to the set-up.
"Tana's name got mentioned earlier in the piece but because the British & Irish Lions are visiting Australia, we're probably going to focus on the Australians who have coached in Australia or overseas, they probably deserve the first right of reply," Kefu said.
The 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia
Western Force v British & Irish Lions at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday 28 June at Optus Stadium, Perth
Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday 2 July at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
New South Wales Waratahs v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday 5 July at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
ACT Brumbies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday 9 July at GIO Stadium, Canberra
AUNZ Invitational XV v British & Irish Lions at 7:15pm ACST on Saturday 12 July at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
First Nations & Pasifika XV v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Tuesday 22 July at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
