Star power missing as Anzac side miss out on world’s highest-paid player

Last Thursday, the AUNZ coach Les Kiss revealed the team’s jersey in Adelaide, a direct homage to the invitational 1989 team that faced the Lions. There were no players confirmed at the launch.

Similarly to the 1989 side-which had just three All Blacks, Frano Botica, Steve McDowell and Kieran Crowley- the 2025 squad is scrambling for significant New Zealand representation.

In April, Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh spoke about the need for ‘big name’ players to represent the invitational side in Adelaide.

“We want to make that a real festival game, big name players to maximise the exposure. If you think about all the Australians and New Zealanders in Japan, we’re pretty excited about filling out that team,” Waugh said.

It is understood that Japan-based halfback TJ Perenara and back rower Shannon Frizell remain in contention to play at Adelaide Oval, alongside Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson who is due to play in the Super Rugby final against the Crusaders this Saturday.

The AUNZ game is of great significance to the Lions, given it will act as a full dress rehearsal just seven days before the first Test in Brisbane.

The game will also act as a late audition for aspiring Wallabies who have missed out on selection for the first Test in Brisbane or are lacking game time.

Speaking on Stan’s Rugby Heaven, the future Wallabies coach Kiss was confident that there would be a significant contingent of players from across the Tasman in Adelaide.

“I’d imagine anywhere from six to 10 New Zealanders at least and the rest will be open,” Kiss said.

“There’s talk about probably making sure we have enough avenue for Wallabies players to have access to that game, particularly as it’s the last major match before the Test series starts.

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“No doubt there’s going to be some moves in that area to get some players in there, to be able to give them more game time, and [give] Joe [Schmidt] and the coaching team at the Wallabies more insight to what they’re looking at in terms of their players.”

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