Les Kiss and Toutai Kefu will lead the two invitational teams against the British & Irish Lions

A familiar face is returning to take on the Lions, while the Wallabies coach in waiting gets two cracks at the tourists.

Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss has been appointed to lead the AUNZ Invitational team against the British & Irish Lions, while legendary backrower Toutai Kefu will take charge of the First Nations & Pasifika XV side.

Kiss will get to take on the Lions twice on this tour, given he will also coach his Queensland Reds side against them, but will get to work with international stars in the Invitational trans-Tasman match to be played at Adelaide Oval.

Rugby Australia is working on insurance clearance to secure the likes of All Blacks Richie Mo’unga and Aaron Smith for the game, which will be played on July 12, one week before the first Test in Brisbane, which is likely to see the Lions field their strongest team.

Kefu, who is coaching in Japan, played for the Wallabies when they defeated the Lions in the 2001 series, and has previously been head coach of Tonga for seven years.

Toutai Kefu in his Wallabies playing days. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Kefu’s team will be made of first nations and Australian-based Pasifika players, to play the Lions in between the first and second Tests at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on July 22.

Kiss will be joined by former All Blacks coach Ian Foster, who was confirmed as a member of the management team weeks ago.

“It’s a privilege to be able to lead the coaching group for the combined AUNZ Invitational XV,” said Kiss, who takes over from Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach in July 2026.

“The British & Irish Lions are one of world sport’s most renowned teams and to be able to play them at an iconic Australian venue such as the Adelaide Oval will be an incredible spectacle.

“I’m looking forward to working with a coach like Ian who has wide-ranging experience at the highest level of the game and linking up with the wider management in due course.”

Reds head coach Les Kiss will get two cracks at the Lions. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Kefu said: “I feel honoured to be named head coach of the first ever First Nations & Pasifika XV.”

“First Nations and Pasifika people contribute massively to the game all around the world and the significance of this game in celebrating those ongoing contributions can’t be overstated, especially against a team with the history of the British & Irish Lions.

“I’m looking forward to getting together as a group in July and representing our people with a strong performance at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.”

Originally published as Les Kiss and Toutai Kefu will lead the two invitational teams against the British & Irish Lions