The AUNZ side then meets the Lions a week out from the first Test in Brisbane. Given the All Blacks are playing France in July, the Kiwi component of that team will be largely made up of Japan-based players, and stars like Richie Mo’unga and Aaron Smith are interested. But while some Japan-based Australians will also be involved - Michael Hooper has been mooted as captain, and Will Genia and Israel Folau have expressed interest in playing - the Australian component will be majority local-based players, according to RA. News the game won’t be treated as a glorified exhibition will be welcomed by some Australian Super Rugby players, who have privately expressed frustrations about talk of players who’ve left the country being given sought-after spots in Lions games. Rugby Australia head of high-performance Peter Horne said the priority of picking teams - and the release of Wallabies players - will be geared towards beating the Lions in the three Tests.