Ardie Savea and Kurtley Beale on wish list for First Nations & Pasifika XV

While All Blacks ace Ardie Savea might be off-limits, Toutai Kefu is hoping to call on some Wallabies, including Kurtley Beale, to face the touring Lions after being named coach of the First Nations and Pasifika XV.

Former Test No.8 Kefu, part of the Wallabies’ triumphant 2001 series win over the British and Irish Lions outfit, has been appointed to steer the invitational side against the tourists in Melbourne on July 22.

The fixture replaces the Lions’ tour match scheduled against the now defunct Melbourne Rebels.

Rugby Australia also announced on Monday that incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss will have an early taste of life as an international coach when he oversees the AUNZ Invitational XV against the Lions in Adelaide.

Queensland Reds mentor Kiss will team up with former All Blacks coach Ian Foster for the July 12 fixture, the first time since 1989 that Australia and New Zealand have combined on the field.

That match was won 19-15 by the Lions, however only two of the seven Kiwi players originally named in the squad decided to play.

Hope remain that Japan-based stars like Michael Hooper, Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga could be attracted to participate.

While the parameters of player selection for the First Nations and Pasifika XV are unclear at this time, Kefu has his own wish-list, starting with Indigenous veteran Beale.

“I would love to see him in my side, love to see him at five-eighth,” said Kefu.

“I don’t know if Langi Gleeson is still hanging around or heading overseas, I’d love Rob Leota, Lukhan Salakai-Loto but most of these players will probably be involved with the Wallabies.

“There’s some great young players underneath it with a bit of experience – Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Zane Nonggorr, who is a young prop from the Reds, so I think there’s plenty to choose from.”

Other Indigenous players who could be in the selection mix include a trio of wingers – Andy Muirhead, Dylan Pietsch and Triston Reilly – as well as Brumbies halfback Harrison Goddard.

All Blacks loose foward Savea moved from the Hurricanes to bolster Moana Pasifika this Super season, with the struggling team now finals-bound for the first time.

Savea was named winner of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific player of the year award with two rounds remaining, such has been his dominance through the season.

While New Zealand’s third Test against France is three days before the First Nations and Pasifika XV match, it’s very unlikely New Zealand would allow their superstar to play.

Kefu, who coached Tonga for seven years and is now coaching in Japan, said he’d do his best to get Savea on board.

“I’d love to have him, love to have a crack at it anyway,” he said. “He’d be great to have for our team.”