Toutai Kefu, a former Wallaby, has expressed his desire for the first Nations and Pasifika XV rugby team to become a recurring fixture in the sporting calendar.
Toutai Kefu wants the First Nations and Pasifika XV to continue in coming years. (AAP: James Ross)
Kefu highlighted that the establishment of the First Nations and Pasifika XV transcends the sport itself, emphasizing its role in fostering connections.
“For us, it’s probably the connection piece, just getting to know each othre,” Kefu stated. “The good thing about our cultures, and this is the Indigenous and the Pasifika, family comes first โฆ connecting is very easy for us, so we build on that and reinforce that.”
The performances of several players from the First Nations and Pasifika XV are likely to have caught the attention of Wallabies coach joe Schmidt in the lead-up to the second Test against the British and Irish Lions, scheduled for Saturday evening at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
lukhan salakaia-Loto, who has Samoan heritage, made a notable impact with his physical presence in the game. Prior to Tuesday’s match, there had already been discussions about including the lock in schmidt’s squad for the second Test.
Kefu commented on Salakaia-Loto’s performance, stating that he believed the player had “thrown his hand up” for a potential Test recall after being omitted from the first Test. The Wallabies experienced a 27-19 defeat in Brisbane last weekend in that initial match against the Lions.
“His performance,I thought,was outstanding,” said Kefu,who was a key player for the Wallabies during their 2-1 series victory over the Lions in 2001.