Beale and Muirhead among first five picked for First Nations & Pasifika XV

95-Test Wallaby Kurtley Beale headlines a group of five players who have been selected to play for the First Nations & Pasifika XV against the British & Irish Lions, with Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium set to host the historic fixture on July 22.

Beale has been selected along with 21-Test Wallaby Rob Leota, Queensland Reds enforcer Seru Uru, NSW Waratahs backrower Charlie Gamble, and ACT Brumbies flyer Andy Muirhead. The remainder of the squad will be announced at a later date.

The First Nations & Pasifika XV will celebrate Samoan, Fijian, Tongan and Indigenous Australian cultures and their contribution to Australian rugby – it’s the first team of its kind. It’s already been announced that former Wallaby Toutai Kefu will take charge as head coach.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus on Morne van den Berg

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus on Morne van den Berg

Kefu believes this match will be a career highlight for most of the players selected, as they have the chance to take on some of the world’s best from up north while also representing their communities and heritage.

“Playing against the Lions in 2001 is a memory I will always treasure and I am excited, on behalf of all our players and staff, that a new generation will get to experience that same feeling,” Kefu said in a statement.

“To represent the many unique cultures of Australia and the Pacific in the one side is a truly special occasion for rugby and I know the players and staff feel a deep sense of honour entering this match against the Lions between the first and second Tests.

“In selecting Kurtley, Rob, Seru, Charlie and Andy we have demonstrated our intent to field a highly competitive squad against the Lions featuring players who are both experienced on the international and domestic stages and in strong form for their Super Rugby Pacific sides. It promises to be a thrilling contest and a significant moment in the history of rugby.”

Beale played a core role in Australia’s Test series against the Lions 12 years ago, having started the second and third matches at fullback. The Wallabies veteran, who is a proud Darug man with Kamilaroi ancestry, returned to form this season after a long stint on the sidelines.

Another big inclusion is Leota, who has played 21 Tests for the Wallabies and was a consistent performer for the Waratahs in Super Rugby Pacific last season. Leota is of Samoan and New Zealand descent and hails from Northcote Rugby Club in Melbourne.

Uru has played two Test matches for Australia but was born in Lautoka, Fiji. The backrower has played 60 matches for Queensland, and recently put pen to paper on a new deal with the Reds for the 2026 season.

Gamble, who is of Tongan descent, represented New Zealand at U19s level in rugby and at the Youth Olympics for discus before moving to Australia. The flanker has played 56 matches for the Waratahs and was called into the Wallabies squad in 2022.

Rounding out the first five selections in this side is Muirhead, who is a proud Barunggam man. Muirhead represented Australia A last year before going on to star once again for the Brumbies at Super Rugby level – playing every minute of the 2025 season and scoring nine tries.

While Kefu will lead the side as head coach, it was announced last month that Wallabies greats Sekope Kepu and Glen Ella, and also All Blacks legend Tana Umaga, will also be involved in the coaching panel as assistants.

This historic match in Melbourne will take place on July 22, in the lead-up to the second Test between the Wallabies and Lions.