Kintetsu Liners’ Kefu to lead First Nations & Pasifika XV v Lions
- Mark Pickering
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Kintetsu Liners’ forwards coach and World Cup-winning Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu will coach the First Nations and Pasifika XV against the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne on 22 July.
Kefu, 51, was part of the Wallabies squad who won the 2001 Lions Series and was head coach for his native Tonga from 2016 – 2023 before joining division two side Kintetsu in 2024.
The former Queensland Reds and Kubota Spears number eight had a distinguished career for his adopted country including winning the 1999 World Cup in Wales, two Tri Nations titles and the Bledisloe Cup five years in a row (from 1998-2002).
Kefu, who won 60 caps for Australia, has been a key figure in the Liners’ promotion bid this season as they recovered from a shaky start to life in Japan’s second tier by winning 10 of their last 11 games to secure second spot.
Before heading to Australia in July, Kefu will be aiming to secure promotion for the Osaka-based Liners who will face Kieran Crowley's division one side Mie Honda Heat - whose ranks includes Tom Banks, Pablo Matera and Franco Mostert - in a two-leg promotion/relegation play-off on Saturday 24 and Friday 30 May.
“I feel honoured to be named Head Coach of the first ever First Nations & Pasifika XV," Kefu said in a Rugby Australia statement.
“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.”
The Liners' squad includes outgoing Wallabies legends Will Genia and Quade Cooper, both 37, whose outside chances of featuring against the Lions have been bolstered by Kefu’s appointment.
While Kefu will lead the First Nations and Pasifika XV, incoming Wallabies boss Les Kiss has been appointed to take charge of the AUNZ Invitational XV against the British & Irish Lions at Adelaide Oval on Saturday 12 July.
“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," Kiss said in a statement.
“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.”
Toyota Verblitz joint head coach Ian Foster will be part of Kiss’ coaching team.
Toshiba Brave Lupus stars Richie Mo’unga and Shannon Frizell have been invited to play for the AUNZ Invitational XV as first revealed by RugbyJP.com.
RugbyJP.com will be on location at Kintetsu Liners’ play-off game against Honda on 30 May and will be speaking to Genia, Cooper and Kefu post-match.
Pictures courtesy of Kubota Spears and Tonga Rugby Union