Wallabies selectors have prevented Dylan Pietsch from representing his culture on the rugby pitch this Wednesday night.

Pietsch was named as the First Nations and Pasifika XV's non-playing 24th man for the side's historic first-ever fixture at Marvel Stadium – and the final tour match for the British and Irish Lions – ahead of their second Test against Australia at the MCG four days later.

The utility, who started his burgeoning career as a loose forward but was given an open licence on the wing at Super Rugby level, is set to warm up with his teammates but in a token gesture, will be forced to watch the contest from the sidelines.

Rugby Australia has put Pietsch out as its public face of Indigenous rugby after a poor record of promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players to Test selection in the past.

The game's administrators also commissioned the part-time artist to design a unique Aboriginal artwork last year to promote the Lions' tour of Australia, which is held once every 12 years.

The make-up of First Nations/Pasifika XV playing squad includes Aboriginal players Kurtley Beale, Andy Muirhead, Kye Oates, Triston Reilly, Isaac Henry, Jarrah McLeod, Harrison Goddard in addition to eight Samoans, five Fijians, three Tongans and two Māori players who are contracted to Rugby Australia.

The selectors' decision sideline Pietsch for another match this year has caused frustration according to Pietsch's father, Troy, who was not only a prominent Riverina rugby union player but also a respected Wiradjuri Elder living on Country.

"Dylan was given permission to be with the First Nations (side), but they also said they would like him to stay in the (Wallabies) camp," he said.

"It was annoying (not to play), but he understands."

Pietsch, who has played six Tests for Australia since debuting in 2024, earned his first national cap against Wales to become the 15th Indigenous Wallaby, and the first since Anthony Fainga'a appeared for the first time in 2010.

The 27-year-old will be hoping to be recalled into either the Wallabies run-on side or to come off the bench in a unique first appearance at the famed MCG.

Pietsch wasn't given the nod in the narrow one-off 21-18 Test victory against Fiji to kick-off Australia's winter Test campaign, nor did he play in the Wallabies' 27-19 defeat to the Lions in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Former Wallabies stars and national broadcast commentators, Matthew Burke and Morgan Turinui, agreed earlier this month to call off the debate ahead of selection, declaring Pietsch Australia's best winger ahead of the Lions three-Test series.

The Wiradjuri man was a standout for the Western Force in their tour opener against the home nations in Perth, completing a mountain of work in the midfield for a left-side winger while consistently sidestepping defenders and bringing Force teammates into play.

"(Pietsch was) outstanding – should be the left winger for the first Test," Turinui said to Burke on Stan Sport's Between Two Posts.

"I had him there before (that Force game); it's nice to be proved right.

"I think he's a gun, he's the right work rate, it's the skillset he brings, the effort – all as long as his body's fine ... I just think Pietsch may be the constant they can pick there."

However the Wiradjuri man had been told respective Wallabies Harry Potter, Max Jorgensen Andrew Kellaway were playing better in the competition among the rival outside backs.

All three players, who got the nod ahead of Pietsch, were his former teammates until the former Australian Sevens Olympic star left Sydney, against the wishes of New South Wales powerbrokers, to refresh his career in Perth.

"In a team that lost 54-7 (against the Lions), I thought he was outstanding," Burke added.

"There's that old notion: do you choose on great form or reputation, and his form's been great."

Pietsch had been hampered by injury this Super Rugby season, missing eight of the 15 fixtures after crossing the line three times in the opening two appearances for his new club.

Despite not being able to run out for the First Nations/Pasifika XV, cultural pride remained for Pietsch ahead of the historic fixture.

"To have three of my designs in the whole Lions series is a really big feat for both me and also my artwork," Pietsch said.

"I'm really stoked to see my artwork on the main stage."

But the game instinct rather than the brush also was back judging by his elite touch against the quality touring side.

Pietsch said he was excited to play again after an injury-affected season.

"I had a pretty bad injury run this year – had eight weeks off, then played the 'Tahs and then had four weeks into the (Lions) game," Pietsch said.

"I was just excited just to play again and get the ball in your hands to just see what happens.

"It's kind of a big part of my game – I try to be very physical and if you see that week in, week out, I'm doing my job right."