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Hamish McLennan, President of Rugby Australia.
Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images
Rugby Australia has confirmed that he has offered to host this year’s British and Irish Lions series against South Africa.
Fears have grown that the much-anticipated guest-side tour may be canceled as Covid-19 cases in South Africa soared to more than 1.4 million, with nearly 45,000 deaths.
However, the virus is largely contained in Australia and Rugby Australia CEO Hamish McLennan said he was in a position to adjust to the large number of fans who flock to Lions tours.
“We really think we could make it work. It’s good for us and it’s good for them,” he told The Australian newspaper.
“South Africa and the Lions need to continue to play test-level rugby and it’s great for Australian rugby that the best teams play here.”
The eight-game tour is scheduled to run from July 3 to August 7 and features three trials between the Lions and world champions Springboks, on July 24, July 31 and August 7.
Both sides have said they want the series to continue in some form and Boks rugby director Rassie Erasmus said last month that the South Africans “will do anything” to play the Lions.
It has been speculated that the matches could be played without crowds in South Africa or Great Britain, but rising infection rates mean both options seem remote.
McLennan said Rugby Australia would only look to cover its series organizing costs, meaning the Lions and South African Rugby would continue to split the proceeds from one of the most lucrative events on the rugby calendar.
“The fact that we can fill stadiums and play in relatively friendly time zones could pay off big,” he said.
“All member unions need income in times of Covid and I’m sure we could hand them a big check at the end of the day.”
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Rugby Australia was confident that organizing the Lions without demanding revenue would generate enough goodwill to ensure the success of Australia’s bid for the Rugby World Cup 2027.
McLennan said that if Australia hosted the tour, two of the three Trials are likely to be played in Perth, which has a large South African expat community.
Lions tours with players from the Four Nations combined from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales take place every four years, alternating between South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
They traditionally draw tens of thousands of traveling Lions fans, who drown the stands of host venues in masses of red jerseys.
While it’s not currently possible to welcome foreign supporters in such numbers, McLennan said large expat communities would ensure there are still large crowds.
He said Australia had a proven track record of hosting sporting events during the pandemic, citing the Tri-Nations rugby tournament, the Indian cricket tour and the upcoming Australian Open tennis.
“No one else in the world has done better than Australia,” he said.
