British & Irish Lions to Face Strong Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV

The Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV, featuring 14 test players, will face the British & Irish Lions in Adelaide this weekend. The team includes eight All Blacks and six Wallabies, with winger AJ Lam being the only uncapped player in the starting lineup. The team will be coached by Les Kiss, who will take over as Wallabies coach next year.

The Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV, featuring 14 test players, will face the British & Irish Lions in Adelaide this weekend. The team includes eight All Blacks and six Wallabies, with winger AJ Lam being the only uncapped player in the starting lineup. The team will be coached by Les Kiss, who will take over as Wallabies coach next year.

The AUNZ Invitational XV, as announced by Les Kiss, includes a formidable back-row trio of Shannon Frizell, Pete Samu, and Hoskins Sotutu. The team will be co-captained by Australia's Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and title-winning Crusaders skipper David Havili. Tane Edmed, a one-Test Wallaby, has been given the nod at No. 10, providing an opportunity to impress Joe Schmidt and potentially earn a spot in the Wallabies matchday 23 for the first Test in Brisbane.

The Lions, who have won their first four tour games against Australia's Super Rugby teams, will face this powerful AUNZ team at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. The Lions have a strong history against both the Wallabies and All Blacks, making this fixture an exciting one.

The AUNZ Invitational XV is a unique opportunity to see a combined team from Australia and New Zealand, a fixture that has not been seen since 1989. This match could potentially set the stage for future combined teams if it proves successful.

References:
[1] https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/45706654/pete-samu-hoskins-sotutu-headline-imposing-aunz-xv-vs-british-irish-lions
[2] https://www.reuters.com/en/lions-face-14-test-players-aunz-line-up-tour-match-2025-07-10/
[3] https://super.rugby/therugbychampionship/news/all-blacks-name-team-for-second-test-against-france/
[4] https://www.planetrugby.com/news/all-blacks-team-maa-nonu-on-steroids-set-for-test-debut-as-ardie-savea-skippers-new-zealand-in-scott-barretts-absence