‘Take it to them, head on’: Veteran’s advice to Wallabies after almost shocking Lions

Kurtley Beale said he hoped the Wallabies will be inspired by the combative tactics of the First Nations and Pasifika side in their narrow 24-19 loss to the Lions at Marvel Stadium, saying the way to beat the touring side is to “take it to them, head on”.

Beale’s comments came as FNP coach Toutai Kefu said the side were motivated by the Lions vetoing the selection of Pete Samu, which Kefu labelled “pretty poor” and he went on to say the former Wallaby back-rower would have made a potentially winning difference to the invitational side.

The FNP team turned in an inspiring performance after being widely written off, and with most pundits and bookies expecting them to get beaten by a cricket score.

But with just a week’s training, the Kefu-coached team came within a whisker of handing the Lions their first loss of the tour. The FNP team trailed, and came back twice, in the first and second halves to get within a converted try of a victory, but ran out of time.

The performance was inspired by an aggressive, in-your-face physicality by the FNP squad – led Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Charlie Gamble – which hugely unsettled the Lions.

Asked post-game if that was the blueprint for the Wallabies to beat the Lions at the MCG on Saturday, Beale said: “I think so; you need to take it to them, head on. There were some patches there where we had the momentum and the Lions were taking a back-foot step.

Jamie Osborne of the British & Irish Lions attempts to catch the ball as Kurtley Beale challenges him.Credit: Getty Images

“It created opportunities for us. The boys, they love the physicality. I think playing rugby, you need physicality to lay the platform for your backs to play off, and they bring that.”

Beale was asked if he believed the Wallabies would have been inspired, and said: “I hope so.”

Kefu said the week was a joyous one of bringing many cultures together, and understanding the different – and shared – backgrounds.

But he also said the team had been motivated by the treatment of Samu, who was selected for the team and trained early on, but had to withdraw after the Lions used their veto power to oppose him playing.

Garry Ringrose of the British & Irish Lions charges upfield.Credit: Getty Images

The agreement struck between RA and the Lions was Super Rugby players would be used in the FNP squad, and the Lions argued Samu didn’t qualify given he has just returned from Bordeaux. RA argued Samu qualified given he has since joined the Waratahs.

Samu, who has Tongan heritage and was raised in Melbourne, stayed with the squad and ran water last night at Marvel. A section of the crowd had Samu face masks.

“Pete was originally down to play number eight and he’d already trained a few sessions with us, so to see the way he was displaced, I think was pretty poor,” Kefu said.

Pete Samu wearing the First Nations & Pasifika team kit.Credit: Getty Images for Rugby Australia

“Pete was fantastic, he got on with it, he was keen to hang around and help the boys prepare and the boys really felt for him.”

Kefu said Samu would have a big difference to the strength of the FNP side.

“The young kid (Tuaina Taii Tualima) that took his spot, he’s got a big future, but Pete Samu is an experienced campaigner,” Kefu said.

“He’s hungry and motivated to get back into the Wallaby jersey. He would have been great for us.”

Asked if he felt disrespected by the Lions over the Samu situation, Kefu said it was a backhanded compliment.

“I think more respected because they didn’t want him to play. So removing him would certainly de-power our team, so I thought they had a high level of respect for him.”

Lions coach Andy Farrell, who had previously washed his hands of the Samu veto, said the side had expected an emotional response from the FNP team.

“Do you know what, it’s all well and good talking that type of situation up but when the whistle goes, you’re just into it and that’s what you’d expect from those guys,” he said.

“They’re passionate people, proud of who they’re representing and they were certainly a handful, physically this evening so again, fair play to them.”

Kefu said he would find a place for Salakaia-Loto and Taniela Tupou in the Wallabies squad after their powerhouse performances.

All nine matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.