Coach Toutai Kefu has unveiled the first five players who will turn out in the historic First Nations and Pasifika XV against the British and Irish Lions, with Kurtley Beale a leading figure.

For the first time a selection of Indigenous and Pasifika players will square off against the tourists, with the match set down for Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Tuesday July 22, in between the first and second Tests.

Queensland star Seru Uru (c) will be in the First Nations and Pasifika starting line-up. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

The fixture replaces the Lions' tour match scheduled against the now defunct Melbourne Rebels.

Wallabies great Kefu, part of the triumphant 2001 series win over the Lions, has named three backrowers in Queensland's Seru Uru, and NSW Waratahs pair Rob Leota and Charlie Gamble.

The selection of Uru means the Fijian-born backrower-cum-lock is unlikely to feature for the Wallabies after making his Test debut last year.

He was on track to add to that number before suffering an MCL injury playing for the Reds which stalled his Super season.

NSW backrower Rob Leota was one of the first players named in the team. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Melbourne product Leota is of Samoan and New Zealand descent and has played 21 Tests while workhorse Gamble is New Zealand-born of Tongan ancestry.

Veteran Beale, who has won 95 Test caps, has been included after his successful return from a ruptured Achilles, playing for the Western Force.

A Darug man with Kamilaroi ancestry, 36-year-old Beale was part of the Wallabies' 2013 campaign against the Lions but fell short in his quest to play in a second series.

Beale was ruled out of the Western Force's clash with Lions this Saturday due to an hamstring injury.

Others include Brumbies speedster Andy Muirhead, a proud Barunggam man who was part of the Australia A set-up last year.

Muirhead was one of the Canberra side's most consistent performers and the only player to play every minute of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Kefu, who coached Tonga for seven years and now has a role in Japan, said the match would be a career highlight for many players, taking on a global rugby powerhouse while honouring their communities and heritage.

"Playing against the Lions in 2001 is a memory I will always treasure and I am excited, on behalf of all our players and staff, that a new generation will get to experience that same feeling," Kefu said.

Tongan coach Toutai Kefu prays with players at the Tongan Recovery Appeal Charity match in 2022. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

"To represent the many unique cultures of Australia and the Pacific in the one side is a truly special occasion for rugby and I know the players and staff feel a deep sense of honour.

"In selecting Kurtley, Rob, Seru, Charlie and Andy we have demonstrated our intent to field a highly competitive squad against the Lions featuring players who are both experienced on the international and domestic stages and in strong form for their Super Rugby Pacific sides."

Kefu will be joined in the coaching box by Wallabies legends Sekope Kepu and Glen Ella, as well as All Blacks great Tana Umaga.

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