Australia's rugby team, the Wallabies, have cut Tupou and Daugunu from their squad for the tour match against the British and Irish Lions.
The First Nations squad, led by Toutai Kefu, is readying themselves for a challenging encounter against an undefeated British & Irish Lions outfit in Melbourne on Tuesday. The Lions have been impressing during their Australian tour, having defeated the Australia-New Zealand XV 48-0 in Adelaide.
Kefu himself was in the coaches' box for the Australia-New Zealand XV match against the Lions, where the Lions emerged victorious. The squad's preparations have been boosted by the addition of reinforcements, including Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu.
Tupou, a formidable tighthead prop, was previously released from Wallabies duties and joins the squad after missing out on selection for the Wallabies' series opener. Daugunu, a versatile centre/winger, also missed out on Wallabies selection and has joined Tupou in Kefu's squad.
Other notable players in the squad include former Wallabies locks Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Darcy Swain, Queensland Reds' Seru Uru, and Fijian Drua's Mesake Vocevo as second-row options. The squad also features experienced players like Kurtley Beale, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, and Pete Samu, as well as Indigenous players such as ACT Brumbies fullback Andy Muirhead and scrumhalf Harrison Goddard.
Coach Kefu expressed satisfaction with the additions, particularly praising the forward pack and locks, and acknowledged the challenge they face against a strong Lions team.
Meanwhile, the Wallabies' series-opener against the Lions is scheduled for Brisbane on Saturday. Allan Alaalatoa was selected as the starting tighthead for the Wallabies in the series-opener, while Tom Robertson earned a spot on the bench. However, both Tupou and Daugunu missed out on selection for the Wallabies' series-opener against the Lions in Brisbane.
Kefu believes his squad will have their work cut out containing the Lions, as they have only had a few sessions to prepare for them. Despite the challenges, the First Nations squad is determined to put up a strong fight against the formidable Lions outfit.
The First Nations squad, bolstered by the additions of Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu, both previously omitted from Wallabies selection, are preparing to face the Lions, who have been demonstrating their prowess in football, particularly in sports like rugby. On the other hand, Tupou and Daugunu missed out on the opportunity to play against the Lions in the Wallabies' series-opener in brisbane, focusing instead on Kefu's First Nations squad.
