Lions Schedule Announced for 2013

DATE MATCH CITY
Wednesday, 5 June Lions v Western Force Perth
Saturday, 8 June Lions v Queensland Reds Brisbane
Wednesday, 12 June Lions v Combined NSW-Qld Country Newcastle
Saturday, 15 June Lions v NSW Waratahs Sydney
Tuesday, 18 June Lions v Brumbies Canberra
Saturday, 22 June LIONS v WALLABIES Brisbane
Tuesday, 25 June Lions v Melbourne Rebels Melbourne
Saturday, 29 June LIONS v WALLABIES Melbourne
Saturday, 6 July LIONS v WALLABIES Sydney

Anyone know who the front runners are for the managerial position of the B&I Lions?

so, the Lions are playing the Super15 franchises and not regions/provinces like they do in SA and NZ.

Probably cause Oz doesn't have regional rugby Union, only in League

To be fair Australia don't really have any decent level of rugby beyond the Super 15 so any games against clubs or anything would be a waste of time as it would be just a training exercise.

This is a short but tough tour in my opinion as there aren't any easy games here other than maybe the combined country teams.

I think a smallish tight squad is best for a tour like this as it won't have the physical demands of a tour to NZ or SA.

Rob Andrew to be manager and Martin Johnson as head coach, Brian Smith attack coach and John Wells as forwards....Alred to lead the golfers on their rest days.

I was sure that in 2001 they played a few provinces - thats all I meant.
Western Australia, New South Wales Country, Queensland Presidents XV, aswell as a few (then) super12 franchises.

You're right, they did. Guess now they think it is not worth the bother having exercise games.

It's always the tests that's the main thing. All that was exciting in those province games was Healy's diaries and Harrision with the red mists

propdavid_london wrote:so, the Lions are playing the Super15 franchises and not regions/provinces like they do in SA and NZ.

They can't afford to compete with RL. University teams are considered to be the level below the Super 15 Franchises.

In 2001, there were only three Super Rugby sides, now there are two more and this time around the Lions shall also be playing a game in Hong Kong against the Barbarians.

The Melbourne Test is being held in Etihad stadium but I think it would have signaled greater intent if it was to have been held in the MCG.

My big hope that unlike the South African tour, the Super Rugby sides will still be able to field strong sides and that they won't charge obscene amounts for tickets.


One last note is that it seems strange there is no representative Test against either an Australian A side or Australian Barbarians.

Or against an Islands (Polynesian and Melanesian) Select?

That is a lot of games to get through in a month. Ouch.

On second thoughts, let the selectors pick the Wales side.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Or against an Islands (Polynesian and Melanesian) Select?

That would be a really good idea but like all problems in our game, is there enough money in it? Maybe in 2017 in New Zealand where it was shown during the World Cup, the fans will turn out in significant numbers to see the Islanders play.

MBTGOG wrote:

One last note is that it seems strange there is no representative Test against either an Australian A side or Australian Barbarians.

Aussie RFU probably wise to err on the side of caution in this one - almost all of the Aussie players will already have played the Lions at least once with their S15 franchise prior to the full tests and they won't want to risk them getting injured. Imagine an Aussie side without Ioane, Cooper, Genia or Pocock.

Does anyone know when they pick the Lions squad? I know it's ages away but I want to prepare myself for the sledging.

I presume there will be two 6 Nations tournaments between now and then.

Plenty of time for Henson to stake his place. Where the feck is that facepalm icon when I need it?

Looks like a good but tough schedule

MBTGOG wrote:One last note is that it seems strange there is no representative Test against either an Australian A side or Australian Barbarians.

Its considered to be highly likely that Barbarians v Lions will be in Hong Kong before the tour.

red_stag wrote:

MBTGOG wrote:One last note is that it seems strange there is no representative Test against either an Australian A side or Australian Barbarians.

Its considered to be highly likely that Barbarians v Lions will be in Hong Kong before the tour.

I mean the Aussie Barbarians which are different to the Barabarians which just played this past weekend.

Starting and finishing in Sydney makes that a 13,409 km road trip. Assuming the wife and kids are out, I've got four seats. Who's with me? Highlights of the trip from Sydney to Perth will include: At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on Eyre Hwy for 1,199km. At the roundabout, take the first exit.

Booma,

Reminds me when my ex came to Sydney to visit me. I lent her my car, the trusty falcon XF, and said to her, head up the Pacific Highway, keep the mountain range always to your left, keep driving and stopping off where ever. When you have had enough, turn the car round and keep the mountains to your right and you'll end back up in Sydney.

and good on her, that was just what she did for nearly a month. It's simple driving back home!!

boomeranga

OzT wrote:Booma,

Reminds me when my ex came to Sydney to visit me. I lent her my car, the trusty falcon XF, and said to her, head up the Pacific Highway, keep the mountain range always to your left, keep driving and stopping off where ever. When you have had enough, turn the car round and keep the mountains to your right and you'll end back up in Sydney.

and good on her, that was just what she did for nearly a month. It's simple driving back home!!

You must have really loved that girl Oz. That is a fine automobile.