http://www.espnscrum.com/australia/rugby/story/155151.html Lions confirm Australian tour schedule The British & Irish Lions' tour of Australia in June and July of 2013 has been confirmed, with three Test matches against the Wallabies scheduled to be played during their ten-match trip. The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) confirmed the schedule on Monday, with Melbourne to host two matches - including one of the Tests - when the Lions make their long-awaited return Down Under. The Lions visit Australia once every 12 years, and will reignite a rivalry that exploded in 2001 when the Wallabies won a thrilling series by two Tests to one. The Lions' tour will start with a match against Super Rugby side the Western Force in Perth on Wednesday, June 5, and ends with the Third Test in Sydney on Saturday, July 6. The team will also spend a week in Melbourne, playing Super Rugby newcomers Melbourne Rebels on Tuesday, June 25 at AAMI Park, before facing the Wallabies in the Second Test at Etihad Stadium - the same venue for the corresponding Test back in 2001. "The Lions tour here in 2001 was an extraordinary event and one which provided significant economic benefit to those cities which hosted major matches," said ARU managing director and CEO John O'Neill. "More than 8000 Lions supporters came to Australia from the UK and Ireland on official tour packages and many more thousands made their own way here. "Four years ago in South Africa there were said to be 40,000 Lions fans that made the trek there to support their team. A Lions Tour is a massive occasion. Behind the Rugby World Cup it is the most engaging, high-profile and popular event our game can showcase. It is not just about the three Tests. It is about the hype and momentum a tour of six weeks develops." Before arriving in Australia for their nine-match Tour, the Lions will kick off their campaign with a match in Hong Kong against the Barbarians on Saturday, June 1. British & Irish Lions Tour Schedule: Saturday, June 1 v Barbarians (Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong) Wednesday, June 5 v Western Force (nib Stadium/Patersons Stadium*, Perth) Saturday, June 8 v Queensland Reds (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane) Wednesday, June 12 v Combined NSW-Qld Country (Ausgrid Stadium, Newcastle) Saturday, June 15 v NSW Waratahs (Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney) Tuesday, June 18 v Brumbies (Canberra Stadium, Canberra) Saturday, June 22 v Wallabies (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane) Tuesday, June 25 v Melbourne Rebels (AAMI Park, Melbourne) Saturday, June 29 v Wallabies (Etihad Stadium, Melbourne) Saturday, July 6 v Wallabies (ANZ Stadium, Sydney) *Depending on ticket demand
http://www.espnscrum.com/australia/rugby/story/155174.html Lions coach to be appointed after Six Nations British & Irish Lions manager Andy Irvine has revealed that the head coach for the eagerly-anticipated tour to Australia in 2013 will be named after next year's Six Nations. Irvine, speaking at the confirmation of the Lions' 10-match tour schedule, said the Lions hoped to make an announcement in April/May next year and had not ruled out appointing a foreign coach. "We could go worldwide but ideally we would like an association with the Lions," said Irvine who insists the head coach role will require a full time commitment from their appointment through to the tour that kicks off with a one-off game against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1. As a result, any coach currently working with a Test side will require a release from their duties with Wales' Kiwi-born coach Warren Gatland the only likely contender known to have a sabbatical built into his contract. However, Irvine does not foresee any problems in securing the services of either Gatland or Scotland coach Andy Robinson or his Irish counterpart Declan Kidney should they be chosen for the role. England are currently seeking a coach following Martin Johnson's decision to step down following the Rugby World Cup. "My understanding is that they would all be available," added Irvine, "which is great news for us because it ensures maximum interest....What I have been told is that all three will be available if required." Irvine stressed the need for a hands-on approach from the moment of their appointment - ruling out a dual role during the 2013 Six Nations. "The head coach will have to be free from international duties in the Six Nations that year in order to look at players and matches, otherwise you could not do the job properly...100% of their time must be dedicated to the Lions' tour." Sir Ian McGeechan led the Lions to South Africa two and a half years ago, his seventh tour as player or coach, and remains an option but would have to secure a release from his current post at Premiership side Bath by the start of the 2012-13 season. "Ian McGeechan has not ruled himself out entirely. He did indicate that 2009 would be his last tour, but he has said nothing definitive and he has to be an option," siad Irvine. "It is such a highly-prized job that we will not be short of candidates. To play for the Lions is the ultimate, and to coach the Lions is pretty close to that. Gatland, who served under McGeechan on the Lions tour to South Africa in 2009, looms as a leading candidate with Irvine putting significant value on continuity. "I think continuity is an important thing," he said. "It is going to be a very tight schedule and it will certainly help if you have been involved before, but if I am honest there is also a view that we should spread the Lions' duties around a little. There is that dilemma, but I think we have got to look for an element of continuity."
I agree. We keep getting passed over for All Blacks and Lions matches. I thought that was why we had KR. I guess until we can prove that we can put butts in seats we won't gets these matches.
Ya the "butts in seats" argument is a fair one. Sadly it's a bit of a chicken and egg situation. You can't judge a rugby crowd by the Glendale Raptors attendance so they don't commit to a big game because they can't see the crowd. In my mind the crowd for USA v Wales in Hartford and the games in Charleston vs Perpignon and Canada were indicative of the groundswell we can expect. The Churchill Cup crowds in Denver were poor at best. I seem to remember a game vs South Africa in Houston around 2000. Anyone else remember that? It was on tv and seemed to have a good crowd
I remember hearing about this RSA match with 20,000 fans down in Houston. It sounded like a really good turn out. I am with you though. If we get the right opponent in the right competition and properly market it then there is no reason we can't get these same numbers. I read that at the next Vegas 7s tournament the IRB and all the tier 2 nations are getting together to map out the test schedule for the next 4 years. It would be good to know what the basic program is going to be for the Eagles the next four years.
Thank you. That's a great idea. I find it a bit odd that international test rugby seems to adopt the same approach with announcing Tier 2 nations test games as the Witness Protection Program does with it's clients schedules. I mean it's January let's get a framework put down on paper about who and when we will play THIS YEAR at least
Thank you. That's a great idea. I find it a bit odd that international test rugby seems to adopt the same approach with announcing Tier 2 nations test games as the Witness Protection Program does with it's clients schedules. I mean it's January let's get a framework put down on paper about who and when we will play THIS YEAR at least
Yes, I completely agree! First why didn't they get together in 2010 or 2011 and map out programs for everyone. Why not throw a few possible names out there to get people excited? Having said that France just came out with their test program and they are playing Samoa in Paris. Isn't Samoa a tier 2 nation. Why does the US keep getting passed over? I would love to see the Eagles program handled in a similar way to college football. What I mean is that they would release the test schedule for the next 4 years now. E.G. 2012 canada, fiji, south africa 2013 canada, japan, wales etc. This would create some buzz and people could plan to attend the game. Anyway, as an aside isn't it about time someone created an American Rugby supporters club? This may show the IRB and tier 1 nations we are serious. Anyone on here game?
I'm game!! Haven't been on here for a bit. Rob, you can PM me I'm in CO so hopefully I can see what I can do. I'm actually planning a trip to Denver in March to take in the Barbos, as the Raptors don't fit into my schedule right then, but I fully intend to make that happen this spring too.