Lions' foes: RA name First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV coaches

Rugby Australia has confirmed the full coaching group for the First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV ahead of the side’s historic fixture against the British and Irish Lions at Marvel Stadium on July 22 – and it includes an old Lions’ nemesis.

Toutai Kefu, the former Wallabies forward and ex-Tonga head coach, was announced as Head Coach last week. He will now be joined by a panel of assistants drawn from across the Pacific and First Nations communities.

Rugby Australia has confirmed a high-profile coaching team to support Head Coach Toutai Kefu for the First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV, who will take on the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne on July 22.

All Blacks great and Moana Pasifika mentor Fa’alogo Tana Umaga joins as an assistant coach. The son of Samoan parents, Umaga earned 74 caps for New Zealand before a 16-year coaching career spanning roles in France, New Zealand and the Pacific.

Umaga was infamously involved in the spearing of British & Irish Lions’ captain Brian O’Driscoll in 2005, an incident that remains one of the most contentious in history of the touring side.

Also named is former Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu, who represented Australia 110 times between 2008 and 2019. Born in Sydney to Tongan parents, Kepu is currently coaching the Shimizu Blue Sharks in Japan.

Fixture

British & Irish Lions

First Nations & Pasifika XV

19 - 24

Full-time

British & Irish Lions

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Former Fiji international Simon Raiwalui, now Rugby Australia’s Senior Coach within the National Pathways, also joins the staff. Raiwalui’s résumé includes seven years coaching in France and roles with both Fiji and Australia.

Completing the lineup is Glen Ella, a former Wallaby and proud Yuin and Bidjigal man. Ella has previously held coaching roles with Australia and Canada.

Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance Peter Horne welcomed the group’s appointment.

“The First Nations Pasifika match against the Lions will be a truly special occasion for rugby as it inspires and unites communities across Australia and the Pacific as well as the UK and Ireland,” Horne said. “The rugby will be intense and competitive and the societal impact immense as First Nations and Pasifika cultures are celebrated on one of world sport’s grandest stages.

“Toutai, as always, will lead from the front as he proudly represents his Tongan and Australian heritage. And we are delighted to complete his coaching staff with leaders of the calibre of Tana Umaga, Sekope Kepu, Simon Raiwalui and Glen Ella.

“Together, they represent the best of rugby and the First Nations and Pasifika cultures. The game against the Lions at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium promises to be a spine-tingling occasion in a huge week for rugby in Melbourne, coming four days before the second Test between the Wallabies and Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.”