Why the Lions tour is rugby's greatest spectacle – and it's finally returning to Australia
The Lions tour every four years, alternating between South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
The last time the Lions came down under was 12 years ago, when the Wallabies were defeated in a thrilling series by two games to one.
It is not uncommon for people in Britain and Ireland to save for years to have the opportunity of joining a Lions tour as a fan.
Demand has grown after the last Lions tour to South Africa in 2021 was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This will be the first time fans will have followed the team in person since 2017 in New Zealand.
The Lions fanbase will spread across Australia, calling into Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide and Melbourne for each game of the tour.
English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish rugby supporters never support one team together, apart from every four years when the Lions tour, when long-held sporting grudges are temporarily quashed. English fans sing the Fields of Athenry and Irish fans will belt out Flower of Scotland in pubs across Australia.
How are Wales, Scotland, Ireland and England represented?
The Lions' red shirt represents Wales, the white shorts represent England, the blue socks with a green top represent Scotland and Ireland.
A sea of red jerseys has become an iconic part of the imagery of the Lions abroad, with thousands of supporters filling the host city's streets and stadiums in the colour.
Until the 1950 tour to Australia and New Zealand, the Lions wore dark blue jerseys, before changing to red.
The Lions tours are not only made up of players from each of the four countries, but also the coaching and backroom staff. The Lions will be led by Ireland coach and former Great Britain rugby league star Andy Farrell.
Four countries against one – it's hardly fair?
Four countries against one does sound unfair, especially against a Wallabies team that missed the 2023 World Cup quarter-finals, but history tells a different story.
Since their first tour in 1888, the Lions boast a winning record of 42 per cent against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa collectively.
A series win is cherished principally because it is so hard to do. Regardless of the stars available to the Lions, most have never played rugby together and have to retrain their bodies and minds to play completely differently from what they are used to doing with their own countries.
The squad need to move beyond hard and fast national cliques swiftly, learn to trust teammates who were recently sworn enemies and adapt to a game plan that is being generated on the run.
England's Lawrence Dallaglio famously said that he held his Lions series win in 1997 higher than his 2003 World Cup winner's medal. Series wins are rare and the 2025 tour to Australia represents a golden opportunity for the Lions.
Do the Wallabies have any chance?
Absolutely. Since his appointment last March, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has built a strong squad that is finally working under a cohesive game plan.
In November, the Wallabies defeated England and Wales and lost by just three points to Ireland in Dublin. Granted, they also lost to Scotland by 14 points in Edinburgh.
Schmidt is a former Ireland coach who knows the Lions squad implicitly. He is the master at studying game plans and manipulating them to give his side the best chance of upsetting the odds.
The Wallabies are heavy underdogs, but they will make life difficult for the Lions.
Where are the Lions playing?
The Lions tours are a combination of games against Australian Super Rugby teams played across the country, as well as two invitational teams: the Australia and New Zealand invitational side and the First Nations and Pasifika XV.
The Lions will use the majority of these games to test their squad and build their best possible team that will face the Wallabies in the three-game Test series.
Who are the stars of the Lions team?
The Lions captain and second-rower Maro Itoje is only the second Englishman to captain the Lions in the professional era, following England World Cup winning skipper Martin Johnson who led the side in 1997 and 2001.
Off the field, he holds a political science degree, an MBA and runs an art gallery — all while being one of the world's best players.
Melbourne-raised Sione Tuipulotu now plays for Scotland, is an exceptional centre and will provide a brilliant clash against Wallabies star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. He will be back on familiar turf with fellow Aussies, Ireland prop Finlay Bealham and winger Mack Hansen who were both raised in Canberra.
England winger Tommy Freeman is the tourists' danger man, scoring a try in all of his five starts in the Six Nations.
Can I still get tickets?
At the time of publication, there are still some tickets available for every game on the tour in Australia.
Tickets for the Western Force game in Perth and First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne are available on Ticketmaster.
Every other game, including the three Tests are available on Ticketek.
I don't want to brave the cold, what pubs are showing the games in Sydney?
When the tour starts, it will be a challenge not to find a pub that is showing the games in the harbour city, but for starters the Marlborough Hotel in Newtown, the Woollahra Hotel and the Sporting Globe on King Street Wharf are showing every game of the tour live.
On Wednesday 30 July Cheers Bar on George Street is hosting a Q and A with former Lions and Wales five-eighth Dan Biggar, who toured Australia in 2013.
On Thursday 31 July, Establishment Bar on George Street is hosting 'the Good, the Bad and the Rugby' podcast live with former England World Cup winner and member of the royal family Mike Tindall.
How will this tour impact Australia economically?
The tour is expected to pour $200 million into the Australia economy during the tour, with fans packing out pubs, hotels and restaurants.
Cash-strapped Rugby Australia took out an $80 million loan two years ago and the $100 million the organisation are expected to pocket is crucial to rugby's financial future in Australia.
As part of a new joint-venture organisational structure the Lions and Australia will share all commercial and government revenue, ticket revenue and broadcast revenue – helping to lift RA's windfall from about $40 million on the 2013 tour.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Under-fire Wallabies dismiss 'ridiculous' criticism
Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013. Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013. Wallabies winger Harry Potter has rubbished Clive Woodward's suggestion there is a "losing mentality" in Australian rugby ahead of the do-or-die second Test against the Lions in Melbourne. England's World Cup-winning coach Woodward criticised the Wallabies after captain Harry Wilson's decision to kick the ball out to end the first Test in Brisbane rather than chase another try. It might have come as some relief to Wallabies fans that their underdogs weren't mauled by the Lions in the series-opening 27-19 defeat. But Potter on Wednesday said Joe Schmidt's men aren't content with simply competing with the Lions. "It's pretty ridiculous to suggest that the 23 people who played on the weekend have a mentality of losing," Potter said at the MCG, which will host the second Test on Saturday night. "We went out there to win the game, and we didn't win the game. "But it was our intention very much and you could tell from every player in the team we wanted to win that game." He said it had been tough looking back at the first Test, in which the Wallabies were out-muscled by the tourists and trailed 24-5 after 42 minutes. Two late tries added some respectability to the scoreboard and gave the Wallabies belief they can turn the tables in Melbourne, with Potter urging his team to heed the lessons learnt. They could also take pointers from the aggressive performance of the First Nations and Pasifika team, which ruffled the Lions' feathers in a narrow 24-19 defeat on Tuesday night. "It felt like we didn't put our best foot forward, particularly in the first 50 or 60 minutes," Potter said of the Wallabies' first Test showing. "There were a lot of lessons to take out of that one. "They're an incredibly strong team and we know that we've got to come out better and start the game stronger. "But I suppose there were some positive signs towards the end of the game. "If we can string enough things together then we'll go a lot better than what we did." Potter said the Wallabies had no need to address the do-or-die nature of the second Test, as they seek to emulate the 2001 Australian side that recovered from 1-0 down to claim a famous 2-1 series win against the Lions. "Everyone's on the same page; you know you have to win this game to keep the series alive," Potter said. "Emotionally it's very simple this week and we all know the task at hand, so I don't think anyone's got any questions about what's at stake." Potter, who will head from Western Force to the NSW Waratahs in the next Super Rugby season, endured a frustrating night on a personal level in Brisbane. And former Wallabies captain, Michael Hooper, this week suggested Hunter Paisami be injected into the centres for the Melbourne Test, a move that would shift Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing and bump Potter out of the side. The London-born 27-year-old lived a period of his youth in Melbourne and said it would be a dream to play at the MCG. "It's a mecca of sport, this place, in my eyes," Potter said. "If I can be out here on Saturday night against the British and Irish Lions, it would be a pretty special place to play the game." Potter was in the crowd the last time the Wallabies hosted the Lions in Melbourne, in 2013.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Walters embraces 'lifetime' chance to coach Australia
Kevin Walters won a World Cup final for Australia with a famous pass as a player and now is "proud" he gets to coach the Kangaroos on the three-Test tour of England. Walters, 57, replaces new Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga in the role on a 12-month contract and said he had put aspirations to coach in the NRL again on hold in 2026. "Certainly. At the moment, my focus is the Kangaroos," Walters said. "I want to do a great job there with the Ashes series. It's a big job. "It's a 12-month contract so it's the opportune time for me to come in and get some hard work done and then prepare these guys for what will be a very tough series. "When that phone call came to ask if I would be interested in coaching the Kangaroos, the hairs on the back of my neck really stood up and bristled. "As a kid, you dream about ... playing for the Kangaroos, which I was fortunate enough to achieve, and now to be given the opportunity to coach them, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Walters coached Queensland to two State of Origin series wins out of four and was at the helm of Brisbane when they reached the 2023 grand final before being sacked at the end of the following year. If successful on the Ashes tour there is a strong chance he would be retained for next year's World Cup to be hosted in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Walters played 12 Tests for Australia and was a hero of the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The Kangaroos were trailing 6-4 when Walters came off the bench to throw a classic "out ball" to his Brisbane teammate Steve Renouf who scored the match winner in 10-6 win. Former NSW coach Brad Fittler turned down the opportunity to replace Meninga while former Kangaroos coach and current South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett was ruled out of contention by the Commission due to his club responsibilities. Former Australia captain Cameron Smith told 100% Footy on Monday night that despite being interested in the coaching role, he was not given the opportunity to present his case. He did receive notification from ARLC chairman Peter V'landys that Walters had got the job. "He gave me a phone call to let me know the decision was made to go with Kev and that was about it," Smith said. "I'm happy with that decision, I respect that decision. "If I had an opportunity to put my case forward I would've but the decision was made by the game's hierarchy to go with Kevvie and I think it's a great appointment." During the conversation Smith said V'landys spoke about a possible assistant role. "That could be something to look at but I've not had any further discussions with Peter or Andrew Abdo or anyone in the NRL about that," he said. Walters said a possible role for Smith on the coaching staff was "something that we'll have to have a look at". "I'm not sure of Cameron's position at the moment and what he wants to do but he's been a great leader for the Kangaroos and I have worked with Smithy as a captain-coach relationship with the Queensland team for a few years," Walters said. "We've got a good relationship. I'll get my feet under the desk first. There's a lot of decisions to be made around staff. Certainly, we'll look at that in the next couple of days." Kevin Walters won a World Cup final for Australia with a famous pass as a player and now is "proud" he gets to coach the Kangaroos on the three-Test tour of England. Walters, 57, replaces new Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga in the role on a 12-month contract and said he had put aspirations to coach in the NRL again on hold in 2026. "Certainly. At the moment, my focus is the Kangaroos," Walters said. "I want to do a great job there with the Ashes series. It's a big job. "It's a 12-month contract so it's the opportune time for me to come in and get some hard work done and then prepare these guys for what will be a very tough series. "When that phone call came to ask if I would be interested in coaching the Kangaroos, the hairs on the back of my neck really stood up and bristled. "As a kid, you dream about ... playing for the Kangaroos, which I was fortunate enough to achieve, and now to be given the opportunity to coach them, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Walters coached Queensland to two State of Origin series wins out of four and was at the helm of Brisbane when they reached the 2023 grand final before being sacked at the end of the following year. If successful on the Ashes tour there is a strong chance he would be retained for next year's World Cup to be hosted in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Walters played 12 Tests for Australia and was a hero of the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The Kangaroos were trailing 6-4 when Walters came off the bench to throw a classic "out ball" to his Brisbane teammate Steve Renouf who scored the match winner in 10-6 win. Former NSW coach Brad Fittler turned down the opportunity to replace Meninga while former Kangaroos coach and current South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett was ruled out of contention by the Commission due to his club responsibilities. Former Australia captain Cameron Smith told 100% Footy on Monday night that despite being interested in the coaching role, he was not given the opportunity to present his case. He did receive notification from ARLC chairman Peter V'landys that Walters had got the job. "He gave me a phone call to let me know the decision was made to go with Kev and that was about it," Smith said. "I'm happy with that decision, I respect that decision. "If I had an opportunity to put my case forward I would've but the decision was made by the game's hierarchy to go with Kevvie and I think it's a great appointment." During the conversation Smith said V'landys spoke about a possible assistant role. "That could be something to look at but I've not had any further discussions with Peter or Andrew Abdo or anyone in the NRL about that," he said. Walters said a possible role for Smith on the coaching staff was "something that we'll have to have a look at". "I'm not sure of Cameron's position at the moment and what he wants to do but he's been a great leader for the Kangaroos and I have worked with Smithy as a captain-coach relationship with the Queensland team for a few years," Walters said. "We've got a good relationship. I'll get my feet under the desk first. There's a lot of decisions to be made around staff. Certainly, we'll look at that in the next couple of days." Kevin Walters won a World Cup final for Australia with a famous pass as a player and now is "proud" he gets to coach the Kangaroos on the three-Test tour of England. Walters, 57, replaces new Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga in the role on a 12-month contract and said he had put aspirations to coach in the NRL again on hold in 2026. "Certainly. At the moment, my focus is the Kangaroos," Walters said. "I want to do a great job there with the Ashes series. It's a big job. "It's a 12-month contract so it's the opportune time for me to come in and get some hard work done and then prepare these guys for what will be a very tough series. "When that phone call came to ask if I would be interested in coaching the Kangaroos, the hairs on the back of my neck really stood up and bristled. "As a kid, you dream about ... playing for the Kangaroos, which I was fortunate enough to achieve, and now to be given the opportunity to coach them, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Walters coached Queensland to two State of Origin series wins out of four and was at the helm of Brisbane when they reached the 2023 grand final before being sacked at the end of the following year. If successful on the Ashes tour there is a strong chance he would be retained for next year's World Cup to be hosted in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Walters played 12 Tests for Australia and was a hero of the 1992 World Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The Kangaroos were trailing 6-4 when Walters came off the bench to throw a classic "out ball" to his Brisbane teammate Steve Renouf who scored the match winner in 10-6 win. Former NSW coach Brad Fittler turned down the opportunity to replace Meninga while former Kangaroos coach and current South Sydney mentor Wayne Bennett was ruled out of contention by the Commission due to his club responsibilities. Former Australia captain Cameron Smith told 100% Footy on Monday night that despite being interested in the coaching role, he was not given the opportunity to present his case. He did receive notification from ARLC chairman Peter V'landys that Walters had got the job. "He gave me a phone call to let me know the decision was made to go with Kev and that was about it," Smith said. "I'm happy with that decision, I respect that decision. "If I had an opportunity to put my case forward I would've but the decision was made by the game's hierarchy to go with Kevvie and I think it's a great appointment." During the conversation Smith said V'landys spoke about a possible assistant role. "That could be something to look at but I've not had any further discussions with Peter or Andrew Abdo or anyone in the NRL about that," he said. Walters said a possible role for Smith on the coaching staff was "something that we'll have to have a look at". "I'm not sure of Cameron's position at the moment and what he wants to do but he's been a great leader for the Kangaroos and I have worked with Smithy as a captain-coach relationship with the Queensland team for a few years," Walters said. "We've got a good relationship. I'll get my feet under the desk first. There's a lot of decisions to be made around staff. Certainly, we'll look at that in the next couple of days."
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Reds eye global takeover, spurred by former Wallaby's daring US move
Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Dave Hanham has outlined visions of taking the Reds' brand worldwide, and a former Wallabies star's daring NFL dream could hold the key to realising them. Fresh off announcing a partnership with Italian giants Benetton, Hanham revealed bold moves had been discussed to take the club to the United States, where past Reds sensation Jordan Petaia is plotting an American takeover. Petaia left Rugby Australia, even with the British and Irish Lions tour in sight, to take part in the NFL's International Player Pathway program, earning a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in the process. When asked if the 25-year-old's bold move got the wheels turning to potentially leverage that connection, Hanham replied 'definitely'. 'We're very proud of Jordie's progression into the NFL. Not that we want to be losing a lot of players to the NFL, but at the same time, that's a massive drawcard, and we were part of that,' he said. 'Jordie's obviously still very fond of the Reds and Super Rugby back here, so who knows what that could turn into down the track? 'The amount of talent over in the US is very attractive. They've got a strong presence in [rugby] sevens, so if we're front and centre with opportunities over there, who knows what that could turn into? 'The US is definitely an opportunity to establish a strategic relationship.' While the NRL has sought to infiltrate the US market through its opening round in Las Vegas, opportunities for rugby union to forge a more collaborative partnership await. Loading Hanham confirmed the US would continue to be a market they would explore before the nation hosts the 2031 Rugby World Cup, and could, in time, feature a similar connection to that which has been created with Benetton. Josh Flook, Richie Asiata, Louis Werchon and John Bryant will leave this month for a three-month secondment in Italy, and Hanham sees the potential for similar exchanges of players and coaches with American rugby. The connection to Petaia could enhance those visions, as could the exposure opportunities to be gleaned from a major broadcast deal on ESPN secured by America's professional rugby competition, Major League Rugby. 'We were looking at an opportunity last year when the LA team played a game in Fiji. They were talking to us about potentially coming to participate in that, which we were open to – it would have been before we went to the UK,' Hanham said. 'I've met with a couple of the clubs over there who have spoken to us about their ambitions for the success of rugby heading into the World Cup '31. 'The opportunity may start in the form of a game or games, and that may end up in other opportunities down the track around the use of players and development opportunities both ways. 'It's a great market, with potential for growth. It's got the World Cup, which will see a significant rise in popularity of the game, and as a brand, we want to be connected to the growth of the game in different markets. 'If you're not there promoting your brand to a broader audience, you run the risk of being contained to your local market only, which is critical to have a strong local market, but we are a global game. 'You've got to put yourself on that stage if you want to be recognised as a team that's got the potential for growth.' Upon Petaia's signing with the Chargers, Reds coach Les Kiss suggested his old prodigy had the capacity to thrive in the NFL, and that moves into the US could create recruitment opportunities. 'I think in certain positions, yes. It wouldn't be right across – you wouldn't find any nines there – but you could certainly find the types of athletes with a power base,' Kiss said. 'Any opportunities you can get to broaden your reach and deepen your influence, why not tap into it? We're always searching for opportunities, whether it's in Europe or broader into the US market.' While the American dream is yet to come to fruition, the Reds have orchestrated a touring calendar that has proved to be a retention and recruitment goldmine. The club already has lasting ties with Japan through the Saitama Wild Knights, while there is the possibility of another Tonga clash being arranged this year, following last year's venture. The Reds also travelled to Ulster and Bristol in January, and Hanham said they were hopeful of securing another fixture when they embarked for Benetton in November 2026 – ideally in France. In turn, the club has extended the bulk of its team, which finished fifth this year. Loading Hanham said the goal of the Reds' global escapades was to develop a program featuring '25 to 26 quality games a year' to help build a 'sustainably successful football program and team that can win consistently'. He said given the Super Rugby Pacific season only ran for 16 rounds before finals, there was a 'high performance need' to fill a gap and ensure players remained engaged and committed. 'We want to be doing this for well over a decade because once we can do this consistently, that's going to help with a number of things for our football program,' Hanham said. 'The appeal in being part of the Reds now is you get to play in these international tour matches. It's starting to have a positive impact on player renegotiations and retention, and, in some cases, recruitment of players.
