'Emotional' Toomaga-Allen headlines Kiwi crop chasing historic Lions double

Tue, Jun 17, 2025, 9:00 PM
Lachie Grey
by Lachie Grey
Lions 2025

For most Australian players, a British & Irish Lions Series only comes around once every 12 years.

Wallabies legend George Smith (2001 and 2013) is a rare exception, though the likes of James Slipper, Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor could yet join him in 2025.

Watch every game of the 2025 British & Irish Lions Series live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

However, the growing crop of Kiwis now plying their trade in Australia means several faces from the 2017 New Zealand Series could lace up against the Lions once more.

Wallaby prop Alex Hodgman was part of a historic Blues victory while his current Queensland teammate Jeffery Toomaga-Allen donned the Hurricanes' strip alongside Western Force backrower Reed Prinsep.

Force recruit Atu Moli and incoming Reds prop Aidan Ross also featured for the Chiefs with Ross having earlier represented the NZ Barbarians in the Series opener.

For Toomaga-Allen, 34, the prospect of facing the Lions again is an emotional one.

"If I was to line up, it's something I've love to tell my kids," Toomaga-Allen told rugby.com.au

"My oldest son, he's old enough to experience this and hopefully he'll remember it. He's eight now, I didn't have him back in 2017 and that'd be something really special to share with my family.

"I get a bit emotional about it because to have the opportunity to do it twice in my career, not many people can say that, you know, that so if it does happen, I'd be very, very honoured and it'd be a privilege to play for Queensland against the Lions."

Toomaga-Allen, 34, has played more than 250 first class games across his stints with the Hurricanes, Ulster, Queensland, New Zealand and Samoa.

Yet few moments compare to his 2017 Lions experience - a thrilling 31-all draw in Wellington against front row royalty.

"I fanboyed to be honest, I was taking photos and stuff," Toomaga-Allen laughed.

"I actually looked back the other day and found all these photos … with (Lions props) Dan Cole and Joe Marler so it was a special time.

"I remember the jerseys - we had a special design for the 'Canes - and I remember not much of the game but just the hype and excitement.

"It was my first ever experience of that Barmy Army which was cool and having lived over there now and experienced the other side and their point of view, it's actually really awesome from a fan base to see what they bring and the excitement they have."

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