After an exciting drip feed of major All Blacks and Wallabies being confirmed for the AUNZ Invitational XV squad, the final names for the 30-man squad have been unveiled ahead of Saturday's historic clash with the British and Irish Lions at Adelaide Oval.
Coached by Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss, the full squad has commenced preparations in Adelaide ahead of the fixture - bringing a huge amount of international experience to bear.
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Unlike the Australian-heavy side that first took the field in 1989, the 2025 iteration will boast an impressive 18 internationally capped players—ten from Australia and eight from New Zealand —with a combined 300 international caps of experience.
Several key names had already been unveiled, with Aidan Ross, David Havili, Folau Fakatava, Hoskins Sotutu, Ngani Laumape and Shannon Frizell headlining a strong All Black contingent.
Wallabies Angus Blyth, Darby Lancaster, Jock Campbell, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Seru Uru and Tane Edmed are among the names included in the final list of players to join the side - joining the likes of Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Marika Koroibete and Pete Samu.
Filling in the gaps, several non-internationally capped players who have already faced the Lions will be set for another crack, including Daniel Botha and Joey Walton from the NSW Waratahs, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Kalani Thomas, Lachlan Anderson, Joe Brial and Richie Asiata from the Queensland Reds, and Mac Grealy from the Western Force.
Several non-capped Kiwi stars have also been locked in, with prop George Dyer from the Chiefs and handy hooker option Kurt Eklund from the Blues completing a strong contingent from across the ditch.
The AUNZ Invitational fixture in Adelaide will serve as the final match of the tour for the Lions before they face the Wallabies in the first match of the series at Suncorp Stadium on July 19th.
The side also boasts a strong coaching contingent, with Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss joined by former All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster, Western Force head coach Simon Cron, and Reds assistant coach Zane Hilton.
"There has been a lot of work behind the scenes to build this squad and it's exciting to see it come together," Kiss said.
"We have quality coaches and a highly motivated group of players that represent the depth of talent across Australia and New Zealand.
"Each of them has a lot to play for and there's a real sense of anticipation about the unique opportunity in front of us.
"As the first AUNZ side to be assembled in 36 years, we have the chance to do something pretty special here in Adelaide."
*new addition to the squad
Aidan Ross (Australia/New Zealand, Queensland Reds)
AJ Lam (New Zealand, Blues)
Angus Blyth* (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Australia, Western Force)
Daniel Botha* (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
Darby Lancaster* (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
David Havili (New Zealand, Crusaders)
Folau Fakatava (New Zealand, Highlanders)
George Dyer* (New Zealand, Chiefs)
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips* (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Hoskins Sotutu (New Zealand, Blues)
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (New Zealand/Samoa, Queensland Reds)
Jock Campbell* (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Joe Brial* (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Joey Walton* (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
Joshua Fusitu’a (New Zealand, Blues)
Kalani Thomas* (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Kurt Eklund* (New Zealand, Blues)
Lachlan Anderson* (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto* (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Mac Grealy* (Australia, Western Force)
Marika Koroibete (Australia, Panasonic Wild Knights)
Matt Philip* (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
Ngani Laumape (New Zealand, Moana Pasifika)
Pete Samu (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
Richie Asiata* (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Seru Uru* (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Shannon Frizell (New Zealand, Toshiba Brave Lupus)
Shaun Stevenson (New Zealand, Kubota Spears)
Tane Edmed* (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
