BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — The British and Irish Lions will play a First Nations lineup in Melbourne as part of the nine-game tour of Australia that includes three test matches against Joe Schmidt's Wallabies.
Rugby Australia confirmed the final itinerary Thursday, 100 days before the Lions tour begins. It also includes a tour match between the Lions and an AUNZ Invitation XV, featuring players from Australia and New Zealand, in Adelaide a week before the first test in Brisbane on July 19.
The July 22 match against the First Nations selection, including Indigenous Australian and Pasifika players, fills a void in the itinerary created when the Melbourne Rebels franchise was dropped from the Super Rugby tournament.