Kurtley Beale has big dreams for the First Nations and Pasifika XV

Kurtley Beale says he would love to see the First Nations & Pasifika XV take to the field again and inspire more First Nations youngsters to take up the game.

The First Nations & Pasifika XV did themselves and their people proud at the Marvel Stadium on Tuesday, running the British and Irish Lions closer than any of the Super Rugby franchise teams had maanged beforehand in a one-off match.

When interviewed after the 24-19 defeat, Beale said he would like the First Nations & Pasifika XV to follow a similar path to that of the Maori All Blacks, who regularly face Test match opposition.

“Absolutely. I am thinking bigger picture here. I think for the next generation, for the young Pasifika First Nations kids in Australia, this jersey, this emblem, represents them,” he said.

“If you look at the Wallabies now and in the past, there has been a lot of Pasifika First Nations representation at that level, and to be able to bring talent through and create pathways for those kids is what it is all about. As a squad, we are very proud to be able to do that at this level. Ultimately, that is what it is all about. it’s giving these kids opportunities.

“This is a fantastic concept and it needs to continue, whether that is warm-up matches for the Wallabies in years to come or building up to a game against the Maori, the All Blacks,” he added.

“Whatever it is, I think bigger picture and it is definitely needed in our game.”

Nearly four years since he won he last of his 95 Wallabies caps, Beale was back on the big stage at fly-half, captaining the side and kicking two conversions, as the First Nations & Pasifika XV fought back from 14-0 down and threatened to ruin the Lions’ unbeaten record on Australian soil.

For Beale, though, the whole experience has been about so much more than the result.

“It’s been a real special week for everyone involved,” he said.

“To be able to represent your family name, your culture, it’s a really special experience.

“To be able to come together in a short amount of time and share stories about where you come from, we all kind of found that we came from similar backgrounds, and that was a powerful moment and allowed us to connect and I think that showed in the performance tonight.”