One of the biggest games on the calendar is July 12’s blockbuster clash between the British and Irish Lions and an AUNZ invitational team.
The combined Australia-NZ team hasn’t been seen since the 1989 tour when they took down the Lions 19-15 in Brisbane.
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Nick Farr-Jones, Michael Lynagh and David Campese featured in the win, however, the Rugby landscape has changed drastically with a host of trans-Tasman talent making the move elsewhere.
With the concept slated to return in Adelaide, rugby.com.au has put together a dream squad with an even split of Australians and Kiwis for the clash using players from overseas.
Criteria:
Must still be playing overseasMust not have been selected by the Wallabies in the past 12 months (Will Skelton, Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi) and therefore potentially selected by Joe Schmidt for the Australian squadMust not have played for another nation recently (Israel Folau, Adam Coleman, Vaea Fifita)
AU/NZ Overseas side to face British and Irish Lions
1. Scott Sio – Current Club: Exeter Chiefs (England)
Sio is a name that fans have thrown around as an ideal return to Australian Rugby to boost loosehead props stocks.
The former Brumby is a consistent starter for the Chiefs and started for the Barbarians during their win over Fiji in June
2. Jordan Uelese – Current Club: Montpellier (France)
Uelese has been one of the main reasons behind Montpellier’s strong recent form in the Top 14.
The hooker has three tries in his last four games, including scoring against Ospreys in the Challenge Cup
3. Nepo Laulala – Current Club: Toulouse (France)
Laulala made the move to the French powerhouse straight after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, coming off the bench in the Final.
His stint has been heaving affected by a ruptured Achilles last February but would add significant firepower to any pack.
4. Brodie Retallick – Current Club: Kobelco Kobe Steelers (Japan)
Retallick has been thriving since his move to Japan, scoring in back-to-back games for Kobe.
He’d be the ideal captain for this side given his history with the British and Irish Lions in 2017.
Brodie Retallick would be an ideal captain for the AU/NZ side
5. Rory Arnold – Current Club: Hino Red Dolphins (Japan)
It was only two years ago Rory Arnold was starting for the Wallabies as they took down eventual World Cup champions South Africa in Adelaide.
Plying his trade in the second division of Japan, the combination of Arnold and Retallick would trouble any second row pairing.
6. Shannon Frizell – Current Club: Toshiba Brave Lupus (Japan)
If the All Blacks were to change their selection policy, Frizell’s name would be close to top of the list as Scott Robertson continues to bring him back home.
Frizell was one of the All Blacks’ best in 2023 as they made the World Cup Final, the highlight being a player of the match performance in Auckland to take down South Africa.
7. Pete Samu – Current Club: Bordeaux (France)
Samu is a jack of all trades and has been one of the main reasons behind Bordeaux’s rise to the top of the Top 14 ladder.
The versatile ex-Brumby can play across the back row and has started Bledisloe Cups at open side for the Wallabies
8. Akira Ioane – Current Club: Kintetsu Liners (Japan)
Ioane departed New Zealand after a decorated decade-long career that saw him become an All Blacks regular.
The enforcer adds major punch to the forward pack and has history of taking down the Lions, starting for the Blues in their famous win in 2017.
9. TJ Perenara – Current Club: Black Rams Tokyo (Japan)
An All Blacks legend, Perenara has done everything you can do in the black jersey.
His 2024 Super season showed he’s still one of the most damaging scrum halves in the world and would combo well with the flyhalf chosen…
10. Richie Mo’unga – Current Club: Toshiba Brave Lupus (Japan)
The key superstar in this team, Mo’unga is the main reason why the All Blacks are considering revamping their selection policy.
He remains one of the best players in the world and deserves to test himself against the Lions as a fully fledged star.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – Current Club: Toulon (France)
Already set to come home to New Zealand, Fainga’anuku can make a real statement of intent ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
He’s been one of Toulon’s best since making the move and can fill in across the backline, largely used as a centre in France.
12. Ngani Laumape – Current Club: Kobelco Kobe Steelers (Japan)
It’d be a full circle moment for Laumape, who made his debut for the All Blacks against the Lions in 2017.
The centre has been crucial to Kobe in Japan and has recently put his hand up to play Tonga.
13. Izaia Perese – Current Club: Leicester (England)
Perese remains one of the most damaging midfielders in World Rugby and has been excellent for the Tigers to start his campaign.
It wasn’t long ago he was starting at a World Cup for the Wallabies and this would be the perfect avenue to keep him in the fold with a World Cup on the horizon.
14. Salesi Rayasi – Current Club: Vannes (France)
Rayasi linked up with the newly promoted side and was incredible to start the season, scoring three tries in his first four games.
The former Hurricane is one of few uncapped players in this side but his finishing ability couldn’t be ignored.
15. Jack Maddocks – Current Club: Pau (France)
One of the more underrated players during his stint, Maddocks has found a home with French club Pau.
He finished last season just outside the top five try-scorers in the Top 14 and has backed that up with five tries already in 2024-25.
Replacements
16. Folau Fainga’a – Current Club: Clermont (France)
Fainga’a has been a weapon for Clermont since moving to the south of France and has established himself as a regular starter.
They found themselves fighting for European spots, largely down to the impressive form of the hooker.
17. Jermaine Ainsley – Current Club: Lyon (France)
Ainsley is usually a tight-head by trade but has shown his capability to move to loosehead, featuring twice there for the Wallabies.
He also holds the unique distinction as the only player in this side to play representative footy for both nations, starting for All Blacks XV against Japan in 2023.
18. Sam Talakai – Current Club: Glasgow (Scotland)
Talakai was the primary starter for the Melbourne Rebels in 2024 ahead of Taniela Tupou and Pone Fa’amausili, the starting tightheads for the Wallabies in the 2023 and 2024 Bledisloe Cups respectively in NZ.
He is as consistent as they come for a front-rower and has been big in Glasgow’s push to the United Rugby Championship title.
19. Jed Holloway – Current Club: Leicester (England)/San Diego Legion (USA)
Holloway is a player in demand, recently linking up with former coach Michael Chieka in the UK before moving to the MLR.
He is one of few players remaining from the last Lions series in 2013, starting for the NSW Waratahs.
20. Sam Cane – Current Club: Tokyo Sungoliath (Japan)
Cane closed out his career in the black jersey at the end of last year, getting a fitting farewell after the World Cup disappointment.
He’d add real leadership to this team and make a major impact as a finisher.
21. Will Genia – Current Club: Kintetsu Liners (Japan)
It’s time to get the band back together.
The combination of Genia and Cooper is iconic in Australia Rugby and deserves a big stage to have one final farewell.
22. Quade Cooper – Current Club: Kintetsu Liners (Japan)
Following on from Genia, the thought of Cooper delivering one final trademark step or flick is worth the admission price alone.
Bernard Foley is arguably in better form but games like this need a few nostalgic storylines.
23. Joseph Manu – Current Club: Toyota Verblitz (Japan)
The wildcard selection. There’s no better way to capture all the attention than calling in one of the most high-profile code changes in recent memory.
Manu is only in the infancy of his Rugby Union career in Japan but his selection turns this game into a must-watch for fans of both Rugby codes.
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