Australia offers to host Lions

SYDNEY: Australia has offered to stage this year’s British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa, which is under threat because of the Covid19 pandemic, Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said yesterday.

The Lions are scheduled to play eight matches in South Africa, including a threematch series against the world champion Springboks, starting on July 3 in Cape Town.

Both Britain and South Africa are still firmly in the grip of the virus, however, and Lions officials are scheduled to decide this month whether to proceed with the tour or look at other options.

A South African Rugby spokesperson confirmed to Reuters it received an offer from Australia, but said neither it or the British and Irish Lions would provide any comment at this stage.

‘‘I spoke to Jurie Roux, the CEO of SA Rugby, a few weeks ago and offered to host the tournament here, considering how dire the

Covid situation is in the UK and South Africa,’’ McLennan told Reuters.

‘‘We learned through the TriNations (that) our Government can bring highperformance athletes into the country and safely quarantine them.

‘‘Despite all the difficulties, we need to keep the world moving as best we can. So this was a lateral offer and solution to an issue those guys are facing.’’

The offer was well received, McLennan said, and there has been subsequent contact between Rugby Australia and other stakeholders in the tour.

‘‘It would actually work because there are so many UK and South African residents and expats who live out here, so we could fill stadiums,’’ he added.

Rugby Australia would expect to cover costs, but any profits would go to SA Rugby and the Lions.

‘‘We’re not doing this to make money,’’ McLennan added. — Reuters