Get ready to rumble, rugby fans! Coach Les Kiss has unleashed a powerhouse Australia-New Zealand squad to take on the British & Irish Lions this Saturday in Adelaide. Featuring a robust lineup of 18 internationals, Kiss is buzzing with optimism, aiming to conjure a spectacle that screams, ‘Remember us?’
The squad is a star-studded affair, with All Blacks aces like David Havili and Shannon Frizell rubbing shoulders with the Aussie speedster Marika Koroibete. From Pete Samu to Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, the team is peppered with talents boasting a collective 300 caps. It’s not just a game; it's a Trans-Tasman reunion, and with ten Australian and eight New Zealand internationals, it’s practically a rugby fest.
"There has been a lot of work behind the scenes to build this squad and it’s exciting to see it come together,"
Les Kiss, still reeling from a 52-12 thumping his Reds suffered at the hands of the Lions last week, is pumped about the depth and motivation brimming in this squad. “We have quality coaches and a highly motivated group of players that represent the depth of talent across Australia and New Zealand. Each of them has a lot to play for and there’s a real sense of anticipation about the unique opportunity in front of us,” he shared, hinting at the historic nature of this team’s assembly – the first since 1989.
Indeed, the first AUNZ side in 36 years promises something extraordinary in Adelaide. Andy Farrell's Lions, meanwhile, are gearing up with a clash against the Brumbies before this high-octane match.
Kiss, tipped to be the next Wallabies coach, is joined by former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster in marshaling this unique squad. With players like Aidan Ross, AJ Lam, and the dynamic Marika Koroibete, the AUNZ team is not just about big names but big games. Whether they will turn Adelaide into their playground come Saturday remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Lions are in for a gnarly challenge.
As the clock ticks down to the 19th of July when the Lions clash with the Wallabies, the Adelaide showdown is more than a warm-up—it's a statement game. Will the combined might of Aussie-Kiwi rugby lore translate into a monumental win? Get your jerseys ready and your chants louder, because this is one for the books!