https://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=303...93a610fc9cf4a78Future of the Lions
ავტორი Rebus | National Flag: Scotland
Posted: 08 Aug 2021 13:13 საქ
With the latest tour now finishing , what are peoples opinions on the future of the Lions as a touring team and their place in the international calendar.
My opinion is that this is a money making commercial opportuity which only benefits a handful of countries. In addition its place in the international calendar is a key blocker in Europe putting in place a meaningful regional competion between World Cup cycles which can integrate the 6 Nations and the REC/RET teams.
My feelings are that if the Lions were forced to be a fixture in the international calendar then more should be done to spread the wealth these tours generate ,
(i) More teams should get to benefit from the commercial benefits these tours generate. Instead of the 3 key host recipients (NZ , Australia and SA) getting the wealth , then France and Argentina should be able to host also.
(ii) Instead of playing meaning less games against club teams which provide inadequate opposition , line up games against T2 Nations. An example would be the next tour being in Australia. Instead of the Super Rugby teams , let the T2 nations such as Tonga , Fiji and Samoa play games. If these islands dont have the stadiums to hold the game, host in Australia and after costs of staging the games are taken off , allow the profits to be split.
Additionally , if the tour was held against France , games could be staged against Italy , Spain , Georgia instead of club games
(iii) Instead of the usual cycle of tours , have the Lions tour a country preceding it hosting the next World Cup as part of the build up to the competition. In particular for T2 nations , it will give countries the higher profile and allow them the opportunity to showcase their ability to host large internationals. Lets ignore Australia in this point, but using USA as an example , have the Lions tour there a few years before the World Cup. Play the Eagles , Canada , an MLR select for example . If the Eagles arent strong enough to play a 3 game series , invite Argentina or NZ to play a 3 game series in the USA.
(iv) Guarantee a generous percentage of commercial profits from the tour goes into a pot to develop World Rugby.
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2021 | ლომები - ბოკე, სრულიად ბრიტანეთის ტურნე სამხრეთ აფრიკაში
