Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss will get an early return to international rugby when he leads the AUNZ Invitational XV against the British & Irish Lions at Adelaide Oval on Saturday 12 July.
Kiss’ appointment comes as the Head Coaches were confirmed for both invitational matches, with Wallabies legend and former Tonga mentor Toutai Kefu named as the Head Coach of the First Nations & Pasifika XV side who will play the Lions at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Tuesday 22 July.
Kiss will team up alongside former All Blacks mentor Ian Foster who has already been announced as an assistant for the fixture, which will be the first time since 1989 that Australia and New Zealand have combined on the field.
Kefu who is currently coaching in Japan, was part of the Wallabies squad who were victorious in the 2001 Lions Series and was previously Head Coach of Tonga for seven years.
The full coaching staff for both teams will be communicated in due course.
AUNZ Invitational XV Head Coach Les Kiss said: “It’s a privilege to be able to lead the coaching group for the combined AUNZ Invitational XV.
“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.”
First Nations & Pasifika XV Head Coach Toutai 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.”
Queensland Rugby Union's General Manager, High Performance, Sam Cordingley said: "Les is an outstanding appointment which makes a lot of sense as a natural progression. I'm sure a top team is being assembled to have a real crack at the Lions a week out from the First Test."
Western Force v British & Irish Lions at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday 28 June at Optus Stadium, Perth
Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday 2 July at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
New South Wales Waratahs v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday 5 July at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
ACT Brumbies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday 9 July at GIO Stadium, Canberra
AUNZ Invitational XV v British & Irish Lions at 7:15pm ACST on Saturday 12 July at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
First Nations & Pasifika XV v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Tuesday 22 July at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
