The British and Irish Lions have been accused of preventing Wallabies No. 8 Pete Samu from appearing for the First Nations and Pasifika XV because they were scared of defeat in Tuesday’s final midweek fixture. The 33-year-old has been withdrawn from the squad for next Tuesday's final midweek clash in Melbourne after it emerged he did not fulfil strict eligibility criteria having only recently signed for the NSW Waratahs. The Lions will take on the side composed of players with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage at Marvel Stadium after tomorrow's first Test in Brisbane. The tourists had originally been scheduled to take on the Melbourne Rebels, only for the Rebels to enter administration. The terms of agreement for the game state that only those currently attached to Super Rugby franchises can be selected. The 33-cap back-row has spent the last two seasons with Bordeaux in France, but was able to play for the AUNZ Invitational XV that played the Lions in Adelaide last Saturday because that fixture operated under different terms. The Lions say they did not object to Samu’s selection but Rugby Australia are understood to dispute this. Lions coach Johnny Sexton faced questions on the subject on Friday. "The Lions have blocked him? I don't know if the Lions have blocked him," said the former Lions fly-half. "I think it's more the rules and regulations of what was agreed before the tour. I don't think that's accurate. But look, we're concentrating on tomorrow. "I think Tuesday will look after itself. The most important thing for us as a group is concentrating on tomorrow and trying to get a good performance out there." Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for an exclusive tour diary from Japan and Australia. Sexton was also asked if the Lions had any issue with Samu taking the field, with the ex-Ireland outside-half saying: "Well, I'm not a player anymore. "You'd have to ask the players you've played against Pete already on this tour. But look, it's not for me to talk about really. "I'm here to talk about the game tomorrow and look, as a playing group, as a coaching group, I don't think we're that fussed either way to be honest." Ahead of the first Test in Brisbane, First Nations and Pasifika head coach Toutai Kefu claimed the Lions must have been worried about losing in Melbourne. “I’m absolutely gutted, I still can’t believe that they would do it, complain about it, I suppose it is what it is, but it’s extra motivation for our boys,” Kefu said. “We’re a team that’s just been put together, we’re facing a massive challenge as it is, so he (Samu) would have definitely strengthened us, there’s no doubt about that. “They must have been worried we were going to win. I don’t know why they would do it.” Rugby Australia is disappointed that Samu will not be in action on Tuesday. “Pete Samu is a valued member of the Waratahs and has added greatly to the First Nations & Pasifika squad since entering camp," said an RA spokesperson. "We had naturally hoped he would be playing in this fixture."