Lions Tour 2025

[Strewthcobber]

I'm wondering if it really matters.

I think the first two games on tour have been thoroughly entertaining and the crowds are obviously excellent. Given that this tour prints money and players will (metaphorically speaking) offer their left nut to participate, I can't see interest decreasing from any direction.

I think it's always going to be the pinnacle for home nations rugby players because it's an invite only boys tour that shows you're one of the best players and runs for over a month that everyone wants to be part of.

I think they might start looking at having more games at home, touring through France/Italy etc, in the favourable timezone, and have less games on the tour

 

[Sword of Justice]

I'm not sure is it my tv or is it the Stan Sport mics but I'm not picking up the electric atmosphere from the stadiums that I was expecting. Anyone there last night, how did you rate the vibe? I'm off to Tahs game and expecting half the crowd to be chanting & singing for most of the game. Maybe the big touring groups haven't arrived yet? A Saturday game will mean a longer lead up on the sauce so that should boost the crowds vocal energy + it is all but a sellout.

Aussie teams are way under down. Force last played 24/5 Waratahs 31/5 & Reds 6/6. It shows. No matter how much you train nothing prepares the lungs like regular footy. Coming up against the quality of the Lions battle hardened from their players long season and we are blowing hard at the 20 min mark. Maybe some interstate games in mid June may have been a good option. The reality is Aus players compared to the rest of the world dont play enough games.

Loving the Lions playing expansive rugby, we need that to continue for the sake of the game in OZ. Imagine they were playing boring 10 man rugby, it would be a disaster for promoting the game. Lions scrum isn't as dominant as Id expected, I think there is hope for at least parity in the tests in the set piece for the Wallabies.

Cant wait for the Tahs game, yes we will get flogged but an arvo on the beers in Paddo before the energy of a sellout Allianz is a rare experience for long suffering rugby fans.

To be honest, the atmosphere was extremely congenial and positive but not that electric considering the size of the crowd at Suncorp last night. The lions fan in front of me was fuming when they dropped the ball at 78 minutes with a 35 point lead so I think we kind of all knew what we were in for.

 

[Braveheart81]

I think they might start looking at having more games at home, touring through France/Italy etc, in the favourable timezone, and have less games on the tour

It's high 30s across Italy at the moment.

One of the biggest assets the tour has is the tradition of it. I think they'll be very hesitant to mess with that much. A second game before they commence the tour could certainly happen but I don't see them decreasing the length of the tour in NZ/SA/Aus at all.

 

[PhilClinton]

Yeh the touring aspect itself is pretty much the core driver amongst the Lions fans.

Spending 3-4 weeks in Aus/NZ/SA following a rugby team around, drinking piss every day and getting slightly sunburnt is their heaven.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Yeh the touring aspect itself is pretty much the core driver amongst the Lions fans.

Spending 3-4 weeks in Aus/NZ/SA following a rugby team around, drinking piss every day and getting slightly sunburnt is their heaven.

This is my point. The current tour is 5, almost 6 weeks.

I think they may look at reducing that to 4 weeks, with additional games at home beforehand.

Still fit the four or five games against the Super Rugby teams in, but ditch the other two games

 

[Highlander35]

NZ probably follows the current format: 1 Exhibition outside NZ, 6 tour games in NZ, 3 tests.

You can't really make too many further changes compromising the opponents you play (i.e. 5 Provincial Sides + a high quality rep team) or your preparation: e.g. playing the Wednesday game before first test.

The South Africa Tour in 8 years will be interesting since they currently only have the 4 provincial sides during the tour preparation stage: there's 100% the opportunity for an additional Exhibition game either at home or flogged off somewhere.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Also feels odd that the SA provincial sides play in the NH and then face the Lions.

Part of the lure if the unfamiliarity of the contests although could raise a bit of the niggle...

 

[Braveheart81]

This is my point. The current tour is 5, almost 6 weeks.

I think they may look at reducing that to 4 weeks, with additional games at home beforehand.

Still fit the four or five games against the Super Rugby teams in, but ditch the other two games

I'm still not sure they'd want to. They get better as the tour goes on and obviously lost their first game against Argentina. Why would they want to add more harder games at the start of the schedule?

Personally I think the closeness of tour games ranks pretty low on the list of priorities for all parties involved.

 

[zer0]

I think the NZ tour will be the make or break for that - they've traditionally been the strongest set of touring games the Lions face and if they should still get there chance next time. If the don't hold up it will theoretically be all 3 destinations getting thrashed in the club games in a row, at which point something will probably have to change.

Don't worry. The Blues will extend their unbeaten run against the Lions

NZ probably follows the current format: 1 Exhibition outside NZ, 6 tour games in NZ, 3 tests.

You can't really make too many further changes compromising the opponents you play (i.e. 5 Provincial Sides + a high quality rep team) or your preparation: e.g. playing the Wednesday game before first test.

The South Africa Tour in 8 years will be interesting since they currently only have the 4 provincial sides during the tour preparation stage: there's 100% the opportunity for an additional Exhibition game either at home or flogged off somewhere.

They played 10 matches in 2017 with two midweek matches prior to the first two tests. It's not like the Lions don't have the depth for it. Also makes it interesting.

 

[Spamnoodle]

Why is there always a guy in an All Blacks jersey at any fricking sports event?

Or Bunnings trip

 

[cyclopath]

Or Bunnings trip

Went to an Ashes test about 8 yrs ago - guy stood on the walkway in front of us most of the day in full AB gear. To watch the Ashes. At least he didn't feel the need to do a haka in the tea-break.

 

[rugbyAU]

Owen Farrell set to come in for Daly

 

[Highlander35]

The Scotland team for the Maori All Blacks game has a lot of senior names missing. Obviously they could just be cotton wooling them for the fixtures which may have an impact on World Cup Seeding, and none of them would really be in line for test selection over the current players, but interesting nonetheless.

 

[Italophile]

Owen Farrell set to come in for Daly

Inevitable really. But replace a super versatile 13-14-15 with an over-the-hill 10-12? As I say, inevitable.

 

[LeCheese]

Owen Farrell set to come in for Daly

My reaction:

 

[FullContact]

I already dread seeing see that smug pricks face kicking the series winning goal

 

[Ignoto]

I already dread seeing see that smug pricks face kicking the series winning goal

The justice of Owen being sent off with a Red card in a series deciding match costing his dad and the Lions a series win after years of escaping punishment makes for a great movie though.

 

[Derpus]

I know I'm not breaking new ground here, but you have to wonder about the future of Lions tours. Traditionally the dirt tracker team would be a step down, and give (some) touring sides at least a shot of making it competitive .Doesn't seem that way in 2025. Lions can name two full test quality teams.

Hopefully Tahs and Brums make a fool out of me this week, but can't see it happening.


The other big difference, looking back at team sheets of the 2013 tour, Reds 10 was QC (Quade Cooper) (Quade Cooper), NSW 10 was Bernard Foley, Brumbies 10 was To'omua.

Our teams can't put that quality out any more.

Australian 10s named in the squad were JOC (James O'Connor) (James O'Connor) and KB (Kurtley Beale) (Kurtley Beale).

Amateur tour in the professional era. Doesnt really matter, though, as long as it sells. Which it does.

God knows we dont need any more TRC quality rugby products.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Went to an Ashes test about 8 yrs ago - guy stood on the walkway in front of us most of the day in full AB gear. To watch the Ashes.

I wanted to sit down but I couldn't because of my hemorrhoids.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Inevitable really. But replace a super versatile 13-14-15 with an over-the-hill 10-12? As I say, inevitable.

Yep was always going to find a way to get him in, probably only didn’t include him initially as worried about media backlash/beat up