The British & Irish Lions have reportedly ruled a Wallabies flanker ineligible to feature in next week’s match.
According to The Roar, the Lions have blocked veteran Wallabies loose forward Pete Samu from playing for the First Nations and Pasifika XV, the team created to fill Tuesday’s fixture vacancy which opened up following the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels.
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Samu, the 33-Test flanker, recently signed with the Waratahs after a stint in France and ran out against the Lions for the AUNZ XV. Samu was named in Toutai Kefu’s exhibition XV to face the tourists on Tuesday. But, in a move that will ice an already cool relationship with Rugby Australia, the Lions reportedly exercised their right to approve the matchday squad to bar Samu from featuring, based on the flanker not having played Super Rugby this season.
It’s the latest twist in what has been a tense build-up to the tour after Lions CEO Ben Calveley, on his arrival in Australia, reminded the hosts of their contractual obligations, insisting Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt release players to their franchises for tour preparation.
Wallabies discards Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu have joined Kefu’s team and are expected to feature on Tuesday.
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
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