Andy Farrell Names Son as Captain for First Nations and Pasifika Clash

In a move that signals a shift in the Lions’ approach to selection, Andy Farrell has chosen his son Owen to lead the team in their final midweek fixture against a First Nations and Pasifika XV. The decision comes as the Lions management seeks to rest key players ahead of the second Test against the Wallabies, which will take place on Saturday.

Owen Farrell, who has made 19 appearances for the Lions, will don the number 12 jersey and captain a side that includes eight players not originally selected for the tour. The team also features Blair Kinghorn at full-back, who has made a timely return to fitness, and newcomers Jamie Osborne and Darcy Graham at centre and wing respectively. The selection of these players is seen as a chance for them to put their hand up for selection for the final two Tests, with the coaches’ minds remaining open to changes in the lineup.

The bench boasts a mix of players brought in as cover for the fixture, which has reignited debate over the Lions’ policy of selecting players based on geographical grounds. Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, and Gregor Brown, all from Scotland, have been summoned from New Zealand to join the bench, alongside Thomas Clarkson, a prop from Leinster and Ireland, and Garry Ringrose, who has recovered from delayed concussion symptoms.

The First Nations & Pasifika XV, captained by Kurtley Beale, boasts a talented lineup that includes Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu, both released from the Wallabies squad for the fixture. However, Pete Samu will not feature due to the strict criteria in the tour agreement that all players must have been involved in this season’s Super Rugby competition. The Lions management has declined to make an exception for Samu, who helped Bordeaux win this year’s Champions Cup and has since returned to join the Waratahs.

Despite the Lions’ strong showing on the tour, Toutai Kefu, head coach of the First Nations & Pasifika XV, remains hopeful that his side will be competitive. “The team has a really nice feel to it, with a blend of youth and experience, as well as cultures,” he said. “The Lions have shown how strong they are on this tour, but we’re not here to make up the numbers. We want to win this game and make history.”

The match will be a historic encounter, with the two teams set to clash on Tuesday. The Lions, who won the first Test 27-19 in Brisbane on Saturday, will be looking to build on their momentum and secure a winning start to their tour. The First Nations & Pasifika XV, meanwhile, will be seeking to make a statement and prove that they can compete with the best teams in the world.