Rugby Australia is delighted to announce the coaching staff for the historic First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV match against the British and Irish Lions at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday, July 22.
After former Wallabies forward and Tonga coach Toutai Kefu was confirmed as Head Coach last week, the First Nations & Pasifika coaching staff will be rounded out by leaders representing Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and First Nations communities.
All Blacks legend and Moana Pasifika mentor Fa'alogo Tana Umaga has accepted a position as First Nations & Pasifika Assistant Coach. The son of Samoan parents, Umaga represented the All Blacks in 74 Tests before embarking on a successful 16-year career as coach across teams in France, New Zealand and the Pacific.
Wallabies stalwart and Shimizu Blue Sharks coach Sekope Kepu will also serve as an Assistant Coach with First Nations & Pasifika. Kepu was born in Sydney to Tongan parents and went on to represent the Wallabies in 110 Tests between 2008 and 2019 in addition to provincial stints in France, the UK, New Zealand and Australia.
Former Fiji Test forward and coach Simon Raiwalui will join Kefu's First Nations & Pasifika staff as an Assistant Coach. Raiwalui has recently made the transition from the position of Waratahs Director of High Performance to Rugby Australia's Senior Coach within the National Pathways systems after a successful seven-year stint coaching in France ahead of roles with the Fijian and Australian national teams.
Completing the First Nations & Pasifika coaching staff is Wallaby No. 621 Glen Ella, a proud Yuin and Bidjigal man representing the First Nations community. Ella, one of three brothers to have represented the Wallabies, will serve as an Assistant Coach with First Nations Pasifika having previously held down mentor roles with Australia and Canada.
Rugby Australia Director of High Performance Peter Horne said the First Nations Pasifika coaching staff would bring extensive coaching and cultural experience to the squad when it assembles ahead of its first-ever match against the Lions in Melbourne on July 22.
"The First Nations Pasifika match against the Lions will be a truly special occasion for rugby as it inspires and unites communities across Australia and the Pacific as well as the UK and Ireland," Horne said. "The rugby will be intense and competitive and the societal impact immense as First Nations and Pasifika cultures are celebrated on one of world sport's grandest stages.
"Toutai, as always, will lead from the front as he proudly represents his Tongan and Australian heritage. And we are delighted to complete his coaching staff with leaders of the calibre of Tana Umaga, Sekope Kepu, Simon Raiwalui and Glen Ella.
"Together, they represent the best of rugby and the First Nations and Pasifika cultures. The game against the Lions at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium promises to be a spine-tingling occasion in a huge week for rugby in Melbourne, coming four days before the second Test between the Wallabies and Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground."
Western Force v British & Irish Lions at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday 28 June at Optus Stadium, Perth
Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday 2 July at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
New South Wales Waratahs v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday 5 July at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
ACT Brumbies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday 9 July at GIO Stadium, Canberra
AUNZ Invitational XV v British & Irish Lions at 7:15pm ACST on Saturday 12 July at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
First Nations & Pasifika XV v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Tuesday 22 July at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
