Assistant coach Simon Cron insists the AUNZ Invitational XV are “laser-focused” ahead of their clash with the British & Irish Lions on Saturday, as players look to stake their claim for higher honours with their respective national sides.
While the Barbarians are easily the most well-known invitational rugby team in the world, this AUNZ outfit have taken on a different approach ahead of their shot at the touring Lions, which will be held at the 53,500-seat sporting Coliseum that is Adelaide Oval.
For the first time since 1989, Australia and New Zealand have joined forces on the rugby field. Crusaders skipper David Havili and Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will share the leadership duties, co-captaining a genuinely star-studded side.
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Wallabies legend Marika Koroibete is among the Australian players in the lineup, while former All Blacks Shannon Frizzell and Ngani Laumape will also look to make their mark, with 17 internationally-capped representatives included in the 23.
Cron made it clear after the team’s captain’s run on Friday that the squad have gelled well this week, bringing together rivals from Super Rugby Pacific and the Test arena for a historic showdown with the most famous touring side in the sport.
“Not Barbarians for us,” Cron told reporters in Adelaide.
“I understand Barbarians is definitely about the fun on and off the field, and we are definitely connecting and having fun but a lot more laser-focused I think for us.
“These guys, like we say, are fighting for international spots in international teams and two of the best in the world.
“For us, it’s about giving them that opportunity to be the best they can when they take that field, but at the same time when they’re off having a bit of downtime, having a bit of fun, and the boys they’re playing cards, mucking around, nothing crazy.
“Definitely different [to the Barbarians].”
Coach Les Kiss has picked a stacked AUNZ side, who will still have their work cut out for them on Saturday evening. This is the final opportunity for Lions players to stake their claim for Test selection before taking on the Wallabies in eight days.
Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne captains the Lions for the second time on this tour, with Jac Morgan from Wales another notable inclusion. Following a knee injury to Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn, this also looms as a golden opportunity for Hugo Keenan to make a statement.
“Those things all are at play and I think it’s just how they deal with it as a player,” Cron explained.
“But most of them have been in that environment for long enough to understand it and they get used to ‘this is my chance to showcase.’
“There’ll be people there that will be going for the Test spots and there’ll be other guys who maybe feel like they’re not quite there.
“I’d say all of them will come pretty hot.”
