Beale hopes game will inspire more First Nations players

The First Nations and Pasifika rugby XV pushed the British and Irish Lions through to full-time in its 24-19 loss on Tuesday as Kurtley Beale called for the team to be a permanent fixture on the sporting calendar.

Beale, who played 95 Tests for the Wallabies,described the team as a “fantastic concept” after captaining the team in its loss to the Lions in Melbourne.

“This is a fantastic concept that needs to continue,” Beale said.

“Whether that’s as a warm-up match for the Wallabies in years to come or building up to a game against the Māori All Blacks … I think bigger picture and I think it’s definitely needed in our game.”

Beale, a Darug man, was one of six First Nations players in the squad, which also represented the Samoan, Fijian, Tongan, Māori and Cook Islands cultures.

Beale said he and his teammates wanted to inspire the next generation of First Nations and Pasifika players.

“I think to bring talent through and create pathways for those kids is what it’s all about,” he said.