Several Wallabies will not play for their franchises against the Lions
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Australia's Test players will be unavailable to play for their Super Rugby franchises in tour matches against the British and Irish Lions.
The Australian Rugby Union confirmed that a 25-man Wallabies squad will go into camp on June 2, well ahead of the three-Test series against the Lions which starts on June 22 in Brisbane.
This despite concerns from Australia's franchises who hoped their international players would be available for their own matches against the Lions.
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said the preparation mirrored the approach to the last Lions tour in Australia in 2001, which the Wallabies won 2-1, and reflected "the primary objective to win the three-Test series."
However, Pulver revealed that some players might be released to play for their franchises as two potentially vital Australian derbies are scheduled to take place the weekend after the Test squad assembles.
The Brumbies face Melbourne Rebels in Canberra on June 7 and the Waratahs host the Western Force in Sydney two days later.
"If those Super Rugby matches have significant bearing on the competition standings, and finals spots are at stake, ARU will take that under serious consideration," Pulver said in a statement.
The Lions tour the southern hemisphere once every four years, alternating between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
In Australia, the Lions will be play nine matches, including the Tests and games against all five of Australia's Super Rugby franchises.
Comments
Michtymauler says...
The whingeing Aussies will do what they and the other SH teams usually do. They'll have their first team nice and rested while their provincial hatchet men go out and try and injure key Lions players!!! At least with the more stringent IRB disciplinary procedures, there shouldn't be any of the farcical foul play/assaults which the Lions players endured last time!!
Posted 12:49 28th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
GCP: its not like Lions field their top 15. Replacements want some fun too. Common guys get with the spirit of this tour. It's also great (@preez) they play clubs. What great occasions they are. They go down in history. Tell the grandchildren stuff if you're a player or even just in the crowd you're proud to be part of it.
Posted 12:35 28th February 2013
peewee2 says...
The Lions will not play their A team against each state team and I totally agree with this approach, so what is the argument?
Posted 12:25 28th February 2013
northandsouth says...
Storm in a teacup nonsense. This is just good sense. By June, the Oz players will have had over 4 months of hard rugby, many in struggling teams. You give them 2 weeks to get into the Wallabies systems, and to give their bodies brief respite. Nothings ever perfect - it would be great to have strong local teams for the Lions to play, but that's the compromise of coming when it suits the northern teams (June) rather than when would suit the southern teams (August). Suck it up
Posted 12:17 28th February 2013
peewee2 says...
I agree wholeheartedly with ArmchairGeneral when he says that The Lions has the pick of four World Cup sides playing in one team. Why should the Wallabies risk further disadvantage by having available an inferior team for these games. All test rugby is far superior to provincial rugby for the future of our world game. Any other view in my opinion is short sighted and selfish.
Posted 12:11 28th February 2013
Irishzimbabwean says...
GCP_jones - we all know your feelings by now. Would you mind allowing the 99% of all those who believe that the Lions is the peak of any Player's career the chance to enjoy them without your constant moaning about them?
Posted 11:59 28th February 2013
GCP_jones says...
I think IF the Lions are to tour they should insist that they face the strongest opposition not some half-arsed side with a load of squad/academy players in it.If they can't be assured of that then they should ONLY play the Test teams.
The whole Lions concept ended with professionalism, scrap it after this tour it belongs in a by-gone era.
Posted 11:37 28th February 2013
Trinats2 says...
Professional "error" you are judged upon your results ( so I can't understand why Deans is still there)
Franchises will do their utmost to field their best available side, except when face the lions.
I personally can't see a franchise in Australia losing to the best of UK and Ireland !
So even if a Reds teams (for example!) had their best best available, they wouldn't risk their best players to a " warm up" match !!!
Posted 10:55 28th February 2013
PREEST says...
I dont know why, but I hate that International sides play club teams. It just doesnt seem right...Especially when the club team wins. Inernationals are internationals and club is club.
Posted 10:38 28th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
No whinging here. It should make for more even games if Oz get these kind of advantages. We wouldnt want the short preparation they had nor the bad weather they had for their Scotland game on a Tuesday. Lions are always against odds, always away with less preparation time. So what. So it should be as we're drawing on 4 nations players. We are touring, its to be expected and a huge compliment Oz are taking it seriously. thanks Oz! We get 4x 15 playing in the WC so we have advantages to draw on too. All evens out and I look forward to a great spectacle.
Posted 10:22 28th February 2013
tha_mai says...
TheGreatOne - no idea what you're on about.
Saw the SA tests but no media reports I can remember.
What whingeing and whining? Or is it just you?
Seems sensible to me, cannot downplay the importance of a B&I Lions tour.
Posted 10:17 28th February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
G.O.
Only two options? what if I decide to be really helpful instead of moaning or saying how wonderful the wallabies are? Try this:
Aussie tip of the day: If you see a mouse, watch out, 'cause his mates are eating all ya grain. I recommend handy tuppaware storages containers. Preferably black and orange stripey ones with home made tiger ears to scare the mice. For best results, hide behind the barn door and poke the tuppaware containers with a stick to make them move and make scary meowy noises (1) .
(1) How to make scary meowy noises: To make a scary meow noise try not to make the meow too high pitched because then it just sounds cute. Researchers at The University of Perth recommend a deep grumbly phone pest tone of voice for best results.
There ya go, I think its fair to say that this post is just as useful and worthwhile as yours. :)
Posted 10:09 28th February 2013
TVaddict says...
It's sad that the lions tour is slowly getting eroded for the purposes of success. Full strength warm up games are meant to be part of the package of the lions, important both for their attendance and for developing the lions team itself. Yes it reduces the chances of victory for the home nation, but lions is meant to be a throw back to the amateur days.
@TheGreatOne
Poms? Do you even know what a pom is? Or is it the concept of the lions you struggle with? My guess is that you probably struggle with everything from writing your name to satisfying a woman/man.
Posted 09:52 28th February 2013
GCP_jones says...
This is hardly a news story, it was obvious that Deans would withdraw his squad, so the Lions will play the B'teams in the warm-ups.
On the plus side from an Irish perspective if our test team keep playing as bad maybe only 3 or 4 will be involved in this farce.
Posted 09:33 28th February 2013
TheGreatOne says...
Let's see if the poms whinge and whine about this like they did when SA rested the Boks in the last Lions tour down here. Or will we witness the usual Aussie worship that we normally see from the Mud Isle men.
Posted 09:12 28th February 2013