Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and David Havili to lead AUNZ Invitational XV against Lions

A host of players with Wallabies experience will be part of the AUNZ Invitational XV outfit to meet the British and Irish Lions in Adelaide.

Queensland Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Crusaders centre David Havili will co-captain the AUNZ Invitational XV in Saturday’s clash against the British and Irish Lions at Adelaide Oval.

In announcing his 23-man squad on Thursday, AUNZ Invitational XV coach Les Kiss said the co-captaincy model would “really suit this team and what we represent”.

Havili was skipper of the Crusaders side that won this year’s Super Rugby Pacific title, while Salakaia-Loto has represented the Wallabies 41 times and is a chance to be named in Australia’s squad for the upcoming three-Test series against the Lions.

Other players with Wallabies experience in the AUNZ squad are hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, lock Angus Blyth, flanker Pete Samu, flyhalf Tane Edmed, winger Marika Koroibete and reserve back Jock Campbell.

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“This week has been building nicely and the boys have put a lot of time into getting to know each other,” Kiss said.

“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.”

AUNZ Invitational XV: Aidan Ross, Brandon Paenga-Amosa. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen. Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (cc), Shannon Frizell, Pete Samu, Hoskins Sotutu, Folau Fakatava, Tane Edmed, Marika Koroibete, David Havili (cc), Ngani Laumape, AJ Lam, Shaun Stevenson. Bench: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, George Dyer, Matt Philip, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jock Campbell.

Originally published as Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and David Havili to lead AUNZ Invitational XV against Lions