Sexton rejects Australian claims that Lions blocked Samu playing

Assistant coach Jonathan Sexton speaks to the media after a British & Irish Lions captain's run at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Johnny Sexton has rejected claims made in the Australian media that the British & Irish Lions blocks blocked Wallaby back-rower Pete Samu from the playing for the First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne next Tuesday.

The Sydney Morning Herald claimed on Friday that the Lions had prevented Samu from facing them on the grounds he had not played Super Rugby in 2025, as per the tour agreement for this final midweek game of the tour, between the first and seconds Tests. Samu helped Union Bordeaux Begles to their Champions Cup triumph in May before re-signing with Rugby Australia and returning home to join the Waratahs in 2026.