12 January, 2026, 8:20 am Central - 25°C Rain

Sotutu and Koroibete to start for AUSNZ XVs against the Lions, Uru out

Sotutu and Koroibete to start for AUSNZ XVs against the Lions, Uru out

By Mosese Raqio
11/07/2025
Hoskins Sotutu Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images , Marika Koroibete Photo: Getty Images

Two players with links to Fiji, Hoskins Sotutu and Marika Koroibete have been named in the AUSNZ Invitational XV’s match day 23 squad that will take on the British and Irish Lions tomorrow, while Fiji-born Reds lock, Serupepeli Uru, who was selected in the initial 30-member squad to prepare for the game, has been dropped.

Sotutu will start at number 8 while Koroibete will start on the left wing.

The side will be co-captained by Crusaders’ outside back David Havili and Reds’ lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.

Aidan Ross, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Jeff Toomaga-Allen will start in the front row, Angus Blyth will partner Salakaia-Loto at locks, Shannon Frizell and Pete Samu will be on the flanks and Sotutu will be at number 8.

Folau Fakatava will form the halves pair with Tane Edmed, Koroibete will partner AJ Lam on the wings, and Havili will partner Ngani Laumape in the centres, while Shaun Stevenson will start at fullback.

The replacements will see Kurt Eklund, Josh Fusitu’a, George Dyer, Matthew Philip and Joe Brial will cover the forwards while Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Philips and Jock Campbell will cover the backs.

The AUSNZ XVs will take on the British and Irish Lions at 10pm tomorrow at the Adelaide Oval.

FNRL
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