Pete Samu has been prohibited from taking part in towards the British and Irish Lions because of his lack of Tremendous Rugby appearances.
The 33-year-old flanker was named within the First Nations and Pasifika XV squad to face the guests throughout their Australia tour on Tuesday.
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Samu has performed for rugby union facet Union Bordeaux Begles since 2023 and received the European Rugby Champions Cup with them in Could.
He’s now with the New South Wales Waratahs, who play within the Tremendous Rugby league in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Samu has additionally 33 appearances for the Wallabies, Australia’s nationwide staff, below his belt.
However The Roar report that Samu’s non-participation within the league this yr has seen the Lions block an look for Tuesday’s conflict.
Andy Farrell’s facet are mentioned to have had the ultimate sign-off on the squad because of a change in opposition.
The Lions had been because of face the Melbourne Rebels on their summer time tour, however they went into voluntary administration in January 2024.
As per BBC Sport, tour settlement rules state that First Nations and Pasifika XV gamers needed to play within the 2025 Tremendous Rugby season.
With Samu that includes for Bordeaux within the French High 14 as a substitute, he’s due to this fact ineligible to play as per the agreed guidelines.
Nonetheless, a complicated facet of the state of affairs is that he performed for an Invitational AU and NZ facet of their 48-0 defeat final weekend.
A spokesperson for Rugby Australia mentioned: “We had naturally hoped he can be taking part in on this fixture.”
“We’re happy with the First Nations and Pasifika XV’s preparation for his or her inaugural match towards the Lions at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday,” they added.
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“Pete Samu is a valued member of the Waratahs and has added tremendously to the First Nations and Pasifika squad since getting into camp.”
The First Nations and Pasifika XV had been shaped following Melbourne Rebels’ administration.
They’re the eighth opponents on the Lions tour, with the primary match in a three-Take a look at collection towards Australia up subsequent on Saturday.
Following defeat to Argentina in Dublin, Farrell and co. have received all 5 of their matches on their travels.
Wins have come towards Western Drive, Queensland Reds, New South Wales Waratahs, ACT Brumbies and the Invitational AU and NZ facet.
Brisbane hosts the primary Take a look at towards Australia, with the second and third coming in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
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talkSPORT can have reside commentary of Saturday’s match, with kick-off scheduled for 11am UK time.
The Lions received two of their three Assessments of their final tour on Australian soil in 2013.
The Lions on talkSPORT
talkSPORT has all the British and Irish Lions matches reside throughout the community. Eddie Jones is among the many star-studded line-up main the protection Down Beneath
June 20, Dublin: Lions 24–28 Argentina
June 28, Perth: Lions 54-7 Western Drive
July 2, Brisbane: Lions 52-12 Queensland Reds
July 5, Sydney: Lions 21-10 New South Wales Waratahs
July 9, Canberra: Lions 36-24 ACT Brumbies
July 12, Adelaide: Lions 48-0 ANZAC XV
July 12, Brisbane: Lions v Wallabies
July 22, Melbourne: Lions v First Nations and Pasifika XV
July 26, Melbourne: Lions v Wallabies
August 2, Sydney: Lions v Wallabies