Wallabies Coach-Elect Les Kiss to Lead AU-NZ Invitational XV Against Lions

The British & Irish Lions are set to take on the AU-NZ Invitational XV and First Nations & Pasifika XV in two exciting tour matches. Catch the live action and find out more about the teams, schedule, and venues.

New Wallabies coach Les Kiss will lead the AU-NZ Invitational XV against the British & Irish Lions in a tour match. Toutai Kefu will coach the First Nations & Pasifika XV in another match. These games will serve as warm-ups for the Lions ahead of the test series.

The matches are scheduled for July in Adelaide and Melbourne. This comes after Australia's Super Rugby competition was reduced to four teams following the Melbourne Rebels' closure last year. The invitational matches will provide valuable preparation for the Lions.

Les Kiss, set to take over as Wallabies coach from Joe Schmidt in July next year, expressed his excitement about leading the AU-NZ Invitational XV against the British & Irish Lions. He'll be joined by a coaching team including former All Blacks boss Ian Foster for the July 12 match.

“It would be a privilege to lead this combined side,” Kiss said. ”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.”

Les Kiss is set to collaborate with experienced coaches, including Ian Foster, for the AU-NZ Invitational XV match against the British & Irish Lions. “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,” Kiss said.

The countdown is on 🔥

Secure your tickets now 🎫 https://t.co/WhF2arOsPo pic.twitter.com/l4ZXPgbFK0

— Wallabies (@wallabies) May 9, 2025

Toutai Kefu will lead the First Nations & Pasifika XV in their match against the Lions on July 22. “It would be a particular honour to lead the inaugural First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne,” Kefu said, highlighting the significance of the event.Les Kiss is set to collaborate with experienced coaches, including Ian Foster, for the AU-NZ Invitational XV match against the British & Irish Lions. “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,” Kiss said.

Toutai Kefu will lead the First Nations & Pasifika XV in their match against the Lions on July 22. ”It would be a particular honour to lead the inaugural First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne,” Kefu said, highlighting the significance of the event.

Toutai Kefu highlighted the importance of the First Nations & Pasifika XV match, saying, “First Nations and Pasifika people contribute massively to the game all around the world. 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.”

The British & Irish Lions will face Australia in a three-test series, starting with the first test in Brisbane on July 19. The subsequent tests will be held in Melbourne and Sydney on the following two Saturdays.