Marika Koroibete gets call in plan to 'soften the Lions up' as star-studded Anzac team starts to take shape
Updated . First published at
Marika Koroibete will add some star power to the AUNZ Invitational XV after being confirmed as one of three Wallabies in the team to tackle the British and Irish Lions at the Adelaide Oval on July 12.
The two-time John Eales Medallist was not included in Joe Schmidt's Test squad to prepare for Saturday's clash with Fiji in Newcastle.
Schmidt will name his squad to play the Lions on July 11 but the 32-year-old winger could put his name back in the frame as injury cover with a big performance.
Watch all the action from the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia on Stan Sport, the only place to watch every match live and on demand
Ex-Wallabies Pete Samu and Brandon Paenga-Amosa were also added to Les Kiss' squad on Thursday which now numbers nine.
Former All Blacks Shannon Frizell, David Havili, Ngani Laumape, Shaun Stevenson and Folau Fakatava are locked in along with rising Blues prop Joshua Fusitu'a.
It is the first combined Australia-New Zealand team since 1989 with the squad assembling in Adelaide this weekend to begin preparations.
READ MORE: Cobbo reality that Lockyer doesn't want to hear
READ MORE: Sims allays 'concern' over expanded NRLW season
READ MORE: Smith's return from injury forces Aussie shuffle
Pete Samu of the Wallabies watches on as the scrum packs. Getty
More players will be announced soon.
"The All Blacks will bring probably that extra bit of power you need – that power and speed," Kiss said.
"It'll be a short week's prep, but they all know how to play footy. We don't want to make it too complicated. We just let them play on a base plan that we have, and then let them play footy."
NEW PODCAST! Star flanker Fraser McReight joins the boys live from inside Wallabies camp as they prepare for their clash against Fiji on Sunday
Kiss also spoke about the unique fixture on Stan's Rugby Heaven recently.
"There's talk about probably making sure we have enough avenue for Wallabies players to have access to that game, particularly as it's the last major match before the Test series starts," he said.
"No doubt there's going to be some moves in that area to get some players in there, to be able to give them more game time... and the coaching team at the Wallabies more insight to what they're looking at in terms of their players.
"Make no mistake, we want to try and get that quality in, for sure.. we don't want to close out any opportunities for our guys in certain positions. So, those discussions will be ongoing, and we need to be fluid right to the last minutes.
"I think if you look at what the possibilities could be in terms of personalities in that squad, there's going to be a lot of competitive people there. They'll want to do something special themselves."
Kiss' Queensland Reds were pounded 52-12 by the Lions on Wednesday but, speaking before that match, he expected the Anzac team to be strong.
Reds coach Les Kiss at Allianz Stadium. Getty
"I can't see anything but a super competitive battle, really," Kiss said.
"They're going to be loaded. They're very physical, very talented right across the squad. We'll do our best to get out there and bash them, for sure.
"We want to make sure we make it an enjoyable experience, but get out there and make sure we do a job that can soften the Lions up a bit for us (Wallabies)."
Waiaria Ellis poses at Blacktown Exercise Sports and Technology Hub. Getty
Meanwhile, Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has named two uncapped players in her squad to tackle New Zealand and Wales.
NSW Waratahs 17-year-old Waiaria Ellis and Queensland Reds winger Caitlin Urwin both got the nod after strong form for Australia A.
The pair join Western Force's Samantha Wood and Waratahs quartet Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Brianna Hoy and Maya Stewart as fresh faces in the squad following the Pacific Four series.
Piper Duck of the Wallaroos in action. Getty
Wood, Duck, Hoy and Stewart all return from injury in a boost ahead of the Rugby World Cup while Codey earns a recall to the Wallaroos squad for the first time since 2023.
Australia's next game is against the world champion Black Ferns in Wellington on July 12 as they build towards the Rugby World Cup in England.
"Our June camps and the Australia A game have set up a strong platform as we head into the next three Test matches in preparation for the Rugby World Cup," Yapp said.
Jo Yapp of the Wallaroos speaks to players after their defeat. Getty
"We're excited about the squad selected with players returning from injury and the likes of Caitlin Urwin and Waiaria Ellis deserving of their opportunity to take the next step with us this year.
"New Zealand will provide another physical challenge and playing Wales twice on home soil leading into the World Cup will lay a good foundation ahead of the tournament."
