'Pasifika needs more fixtures'

Wallabies great Kurtley Beale (above) says the First Nations and Pasifika XV deserve regular fixtures against touring sides after the inaugural team's stirring performance against the British and Irish Lions.

- Kurtley Beale

Melbourne - Wallabies great Kurtley Beale (above) says the First Nations and Pasifika XV deserve regular fixtures against touring sides after the inaugural team's stirring performance against the British and Irish Lions.

The combative side comprised of Australians with First Nations or Pasifika heritage were largely written off before the clash in Melbourne on Tuesday after limited preparation.

But their passion and bone-rattling physicality surprised the tourists, who essentially fielded a B team, but still packed with top-class players.