'An experienced, powerful starting side': Eight All Blacks in AUNZ Invitational XV to take on Lions
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Coach Les Kiss has named eight All Blacks in the AUNZ Invitational XV to face the British and Irish Lions on Saturday at Adelaide Oval.
David Havili and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will co-captain the first combined Australia-New Zealand team since 1989 in what will be the Lions' final match before the Test series against the Wallabies.
"After speaking with all the players we thought the co-captaincy model with natural leaders like David and Lukhan would really suit this team and what we represent," Kiss said.
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Lukhan Salakaia-Loto of the Wallabies and Shannon Frizell of the All Blacks contest a lineout. Getty
"This week has been building nicely and the boys have put a lot of time into getting to know each other.
"In forming new bonds many of them have discovered they have more in common than they originally thought.
"We have named an experienced, powerful starting side for Saturday and we know our bench will make an impact when they get their opportunity."
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Tane Edmed of the Waratahs passes at Leichhardt Oval. Getty
Tane Edmed will get a chance to impress Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt after being handed the No.10 jersey.
He will have plenty of attacking firepower outside him in Havili, Ngani Laumape, Marika Koroibete, AJ Lam and Shaun Stevenson.
Wallabies coach-in-waiting Kiss leads a coaching group that includes former All Blacks mentor Ian Foster, who hopes the Anzac concept can be showcased more frequently.
The Lions - 4-0 on Australian soil after beating the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday - are set to name their team on Thursday night.
AUNZ Invitational XV (15-1): Shaun Stevenson, AJ Lam, Ngani Laumape, David Havili (co-c), Marika Koroibete, Tane Edmed, Folau Fakatava, Hoskins Sotutu, Pete Samu, Shannon Frizell, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Aidan Ross
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu'a, George Dyer, Matt Philip, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jock Campbell
