Pete Samu ruled out of First Nations and Pasifika match against Lions
- Pete Samu was initially selected to play for the First Nations & Pasifika XV against the Lions.
- He was ruled ineligible due to an agreement that only players from the current Super Rugby season could participate.
- The decision to bar Samu has been viewed as controversial and raised questions about the Lions' motivations.
On July 18, 2025, in Australia, the British and Irish Lions became embroiled in an eligibility controversy just before their first Test match against the Wallabies. Pete Samu, a back-row forward with 33 caps for Australia, was set to play for the First Nations & Pasifika XV in a fixture arranged in Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. However, he was ruled ineligible for the match, which was organized to create a representative team comprising players from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Pacific Islander heritage. This decision led to his departure from the squad preparing in Melbourne after it became known that only players from the current 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season could participate. While Samu was a key addition to the First Nations & Pasifika camp and had played for the AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide the previous weekend, the ruling effectively barred him from contributing further to the squad. Head coach Toutai Kefu expressed his disappointment, stating that Samu's presence would have strengthened the team. The situation sparked debates about the motivations behind the Lions' decision, with Kefu questioning whether they were worried about their chances against the newly formed team. Rugby Australia issued a statement expressing hope for the First Nations & Pasifika XV’s preparation despite the setback. Meanwhile, the Lions also made player adjustments, bringing in cover from the Scottish squad ahead of the match.