Lions rule out Australia as hosts for summer tour
➤ South Africa still most likely to host series as planned ➤ Treasury approached to underwrite games in the UK
The British and Irish Lions board has ruled out taking up Rugby Australia’s offer to host their series against South Africa. Doubts over the promise of capacity crowds for three Test matches in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane meant that an offer to cover the costs of relocation and lost revenue was not enough to make it a viable option.
The prospect of the British and Irish Lions proceeding with their tour of South Africa as scheduled this summer remains a live option after officials yesterday requested more information and time before making a final call.
The only firm decision taken by the eight-man Lions board, which is chaired by Jason Leonard, was to rule out the option of relocating the tour to Australia.
Rugby Australia had made a bold offer to host the eight-match series Down Under, including the promise of capacity crowds for three Test matches to be played at major stadiums in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane, given the almost zero community transmission of the virus in the country.
However, it is understood that Rugby Australia’s offer of a minimum guarantee to cover the costs of relocating the tour and the loss of revenue in the event of a short notice lockdown was not enough to make it a viable option. There was also concern about the guarantee of capacity crowds.
Rugby Australia had been dealing directly with the South African Rugby Union, as tour host, but the Lions board also decided to turn down the offer.
The Lions board will meet again next week as it awaits a decision on whether the Treasury will offer to underwrite the costs of relocating the tour to the United Kingdom.
A decision is not expected until next week at the earliest, and one source said the signs from the Treasury were not optimistic, given the demands from other sports and industries for government support.
The Lions have drawn up detailed contingency plans for hosting the series in the UK, however the costs are considerable and would require a minimum of 25 per cent capacity crowds to make it viable. Given the uncertainty still attached to the roadmap out of the lockdown, it is unlikely to be possible without government support.
Time is also against the Lions for a home series, given the major logistical challenge of putting on a major global event within a matter of months. It is understood the Lions have approached CSM, the sport and entertainment agency, which already looks after some of their commercial contracts, about providing the resources to event-manage the project but it is thought that the costs are significant.
The fact that the option of proceeding with the tour as scheduled was not taken off the table despite the Covid challenges was seen as significant by some sources, following the positive news from South Africa this week about its infection rates and relaxing of lockdown restrictions.
If the Lions proceed with the tour to South Africa, even if the matches have to be played behind closed doors, it would offer the least risky financial option as all the contracts are in place and broadcaster Sky Sports told the board in January that was its preferred option.