Form favours Chiefs, history Crusaders in SRP final
Damian McKenzie and the Chiefs are hoping it will be third time lucky when they face off against the mighty Crusaders in another all-New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch on Saturday.
The All Blacks flyhalf has been on fire leading an explosive backline behind a rugged pack this year as the Chiefs set the pace in the competition and made the title decider for the third straight season.
The last two finals, however, ended in the bitterness of defeat -- in 2023 to the Crusaders and last year to neighbours the Blues -- to leave this generation of Chiefs without a title to add to the two won by Dave Rennie's team in 2012 and 2013.
Clayton "Donk" McMillan has been the architect of the Hamilton-based franchise's success since the end of the COVID pandemic but he will take charge for the last time on Saturday before heading off to Irish province Munster.
"We've got a lot to play for and a lot of motivation," McKenzie said this week.
"Do it for Donk. Do it for the region. Do it for our fans and our families. We've been disappointed in the last few years where we haven't quite been able to to win a final."
The Chiefs should have plenty of support in the sell-out crowd at Christchurch Stadium even if the cowbells their fans have traditionally rung are banned on health and safety grounds.
But they will have to contend with the Crusaders' imposing home form in Super Rugby playoff matches over the last three decades, 31 wins and zero losses.
The Chiefs have won five of their last seven Super Rugby matches against the Crusaders, including both home and away this season, and McMillan is banking on form trumping history.
"We don't have any fear about going down to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders," he said.
"We're one team that has had our fair share of success down there, but we know it's not going to be easy."
While the Chiefs are unchanged from the semi-finals, the Crusaders have been able to recall prop Tamaiti Williams to their all-Test front row for what will be a hugely important battle of the forward packs.
Both teams boast high quality backlines as well as strong defences, so McKenzie's almost unerring place-kicking from anywhere in the opposition half could end up deciding which of New Zealand's two major islands the trophy ends up on.
The Crusaders have won 12 titles, 14 if the regional Super Rugby competitions during the COVID era are counted, but missed the playoffs last year in coach Rob Penney's first season in charge.
The return of world-class fullback Will Jordan and a smattering of other top players sparked their run to the final this year and over the playoffs they have looked like the tough, unrelenting red machine of years past.
Saturday's match looks likely to be their last at the stadium they have called a temporary home for the 14 years since the 2011 earthquake wrecked Lancaster Park with the new indoor Te Kaha arena close to completion.
"We've got a group capable of winning," Penney said. "This is a one-off occasion. We're at home in front of our people. Last time we're at the stadium and it's just going to be such a magic occasion."
Crusaders:-
15–Will Jordan, 14–Sevu Reece, 13–Braydon Ennor, 12–David Havili (captain), 11–Macca Springer, 10–Rivez Reihana, 9–Noah Hotham, 8–Christian Lio-Willie, 7–Tom Christie, 6–Ethan Blackadder, 5–Antonio Shalfoon, 4–Scott Barrett, 3–Fletcher Newell, 2–Codie Taylor, 1–Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16–George Bell, 17–George Bower, 18–Seb Calder, 19–Jamie Hannah, 20–Cullen Grace, 21–Kyle Preston, 22–James O'Connor, 23–Dallas McLeod
CHIEFS:-
15–Shaun Stevenson, 14–Emoni Narawa, 13–Daniel Rona, 12–Quinn Tupaea, 11–Leroy Carter, 10–Damian McKenzie, 9–Cortez Ratima, 8–Wallace Sititi, 7–Luke Jacobson (captain), 6–Samipeni Finau, 5–Tupou Vaa'i, 4–Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3–George Dyer, 2–Samisoni Taukei'aho, 1–Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16–Brodie McAlister, 17–Aidan Ross, 18–Reuben O'Neill, 19–Jimmy Tupou, 20–Kaylum Boshier, 21–Xavier Roe, 22–Josh Jacomb, 23–Etene Nanai-Seturo.
Damian McKenzie and the Chiefs are hoping it will be third time lucky when they face off against the mighty Crusaders in another all-New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch on Saturday.
The All Blacks flyhalf has been on fire leading an explosive backline behind a rugged pack this year as the Chiefs set the pace in the competition and made the title decider for the third straight season.
The last two finals, however, ended in the bitterness of defeat -- in 2023 to the Crusaders and last year to neighbours the Blues -- to leave this generation of Chiefs without a title to add to the two won by Dave Rennie's team in 2012 and 2013.
Clayton "Donk" McMillan has been the architect of the Hamilton-based franchise's success since the end of the COVID pandemic but he will take charge for the last time on Saturday before heading off to Irish province Munster.
"We've got a lot to play for and a lot of motivation," McKenzie said this week.
"Do it for Donk. Do it for the region. Do it for our fans and our families. We've been disappointed in the last few years where we haven't quite been able to to win a final."
The Chiefs should have plenty of support in the sell-out crowd at Christchurch Stadium even if the cowbells their fans have traditionally rung are banned on health and safety grounds.
But they will have to contend with the Crusaders' imposing home form in Super Rugby playoff matches over the last three decades, 31 wins and zero losses.
The Chiefs have won five of their last seven Super Rugby matches against the Crusaders, including both home and away this season, and McMillan is banking on form trumping history.
"We don't have any fear about going down to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders," he said.
"We're one team that has had our fair share of success down there, but we know it's not going to be easy."
While the Chiefs are unchanged from the semi-finals, the Crusaders have been able to recall prop Tamaiti Williams to their all-Test front row for what will be a hugely important battle of the forward packs.
Both teams boast high quality backlines as well as strong defences, so McKenzie's almost unerring place-kicking from anywhere in the opposition half could end up deciding which of New Zealand's two major islands the trophy ends up on.
The Crusaders have won 12 titles, 14 if the regional Super Rugby competitions during the COVID era are counted, but missed the playoffs last year in coach Rob Penney's first season in charge.
The return of world-class fullback Will Jordan and a smattering of other top players sparked their run to the final this year and over the playoffs they have looked like the tough, unrelenting red machine of years past.
Saturday's match looks likely to be their last at the stadium they have called a temporary home for the 14 years since the 2011 earthquake wrecked Lancaster Park with the new indoor Te Kaha arena close to completion.
"We've got a group capable of winning," Penney said. "This is a one-off occasion. We're at home in front of our people. Last time we're at the stadium and it's just going to be such a magic occasion."
Crusaders:-
15–Will Jordan, 14–Sevu Reece, 13–Braydon Ennor, 12–David Havili (captain), 11–Macca Springer, 10–Rivez Reihana, 9–Noah Hotham, 8–Christian Lio-Willie, 7–Tom Christie, 6–Ethan Blackadder, 5–Antonio Shalfoon, 4–Scott Barrett, 3–Fletcher Newell, 2–Codie Taylor, 1–Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16–George Bell, 17–George Bower, 18–Seb Calder, 19–Jamie Hannah, 20–Cullen Grace, 21–Kyle Preston, 22–James O'Connor, 23–Dallas McLeod
CHIEFS:-
15–Shaun Stevenson, 14–Emoni Narawa, 13–Daniel Rona, 12–Quinn Tupaea, 11–Leroy Carter, 10–Damian McKenzie, 9–Cortez Ratima, 8–Wallace Sititi, 7–Luke Jacobson (captain), 6–Samipeni Finau, 5–Tupou Vaa'i, 4–Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3–George Dyer, 2–Samisoni Taukei'aho, 1–Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16–Brodie McAlister, 17–Aidan Ross, 18–Reuben O'Neill, 19–Jimmy Tupou, 20–Kaylum Boshier, 21–Xavier Roe, 22–Josh Jacomb, 23–Etene Nanai-Seturo.
Damian McKenzie and the Chiefs are hoping it will be third time lucky when they face off against the mighty Crusaders in another all-New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch on Saturday.
The All Blacks flyhalf has been on fire leading an explosive backline behind a rugged pack this year as the Chiefs set the pace in the competition and made the title decider for the third straight season.
The last two finals, however, ended in the bitterness of defeat -- in 2023 to the Crusaders and last year to neighbours the Blues -- to leave this generation of Chiefs without a title to add to the two won by Dave Rennie's team in 2012 and 2013.
Clayton "Donk" McMillan has been the architect of the Hamilton-based franchise's success since the end of the COVID pandemic but he will take charge for the last time on Saturday before heading off to Irish province Munster.
"We've got a lot to play for and a lot of motivation," McKenzie said this week.
"Do it for Donk. Do it for the region. Do it for our fans and our families. We've been disappointed in the last few years where we haven't quite been able to to win a final."
The Chiefs should have plenty of support in the sell-out crowd at Christchurch Stadium even if the cowbells their fans have traditionally rung are banned on health and safety grounds.
But they will have to contend with the Crusaders' imposing home form in Super Rugby playoff matches over the last three decades, 31 wins and zero losses.
The Chiefs have won five of their last seven Super Rugby matches against the Crusaders, including both home and away this season, and McMillan is banking on form trumping history.
"We don't have any fear about going down to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders," he said.
"We're one team that has had our fair share of success down there, but we know it's not going to be easy."
While the Chiefs are unchanged from the semi-finals, the Crusaders have been able to recall prop Tamaiti Williams to their all-Test front row for what will be a hugely important battle of the forward packs.
Both teams boast high quality backlines as well as strong defences, so McKenzie's almost unerring place-kicking from anywhere in the opposition half could end up deciding which of New Zealand's two major islands the trophy ends up on.
The Crusaders have won 12 titles, 14 if the regional Super Rugby competitions during the COVID era are counted, but missed the playoffs last year in coach Rob Penney's first season in charge.
The return of world-class fullback Will Jordan and a smattering of other top players sparked their run to the final this year and over the playoffs they have looked like the tough, unrelenting red machine of years past.
Saturday's match looks likely to be their last at the stadium they have called a temporary home for the 14 years since the 2011 earthquake wrecked Lancaster Park with the new indoor Te Kaha arena close to completion.
"We've got a group capable of winning," Penney said. "This is a one-off occasion. We're at home in front of our people. Last time we're at the stadium and it's just going to be such a magic occasion."
Crusaders:-
15–Will Jordan, 14–Sevu Reece, 13–Braydon Ennor, 12–David Havili (captain), 11–Macca Springer, 10–Rivez Reihana, 9–Noah Hotham, 8–Christian Lio-Willie, 7–Tom Christie, 6–Ethan Blackadder, 5–Antonio Shalfoon, 4–Scott Barrett, 3–Fletcher Newell, 2–Codie Taylor, 1–Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16–George Bell, 17–George Bower, 18–Seb Calder, 19–Jamie Hannah, 20–Cullen Grace, 21–Kyle Preston, 22–James O'Connor, 23–Dallas McLeod
CHIEFS:-
15–Shaun Stevenson, 14–Emoni Narawa, 13–Daniel Rona, 12–Quinn Tupaea, 11–Leroy Carter, 10–Damian McKenzie, 9–Cortez Ratima, 8–Wallace Sititi, 7–Luke Jacobson (captain), 6–Samipeni Finau, 5–Tupou Vaa'i, 4–Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 3–George Dyer, 2–Samisoni Taukei'aho, 1–Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16–Brodie McAlister, 17–Aidan Ross, 18–Reuben O'Neill, 19–Jimmy Tupou, 20–Kaylum Boshier, 21–Xavier Roe, 22–Josh Jacomb, 23–Etene Nanai-Seturo.
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Perth Now
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Young gun Jorgensen ready and hungry to face Lions
After fearing the worst, Wallabies sensation Max Jorgensen has declared himself "100 per cent" ready to tackle the touring British and Irish Lions. Jorgensen has been sidelined since late March after falling victim to a hip-drop tackle and sustaining ankle syndesmosis in a NSW Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington. The after-the-siren try-scoring hero of Australia's famous victory over England at Twickenham last November admits he wondered if he'd miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face the Lions when he first suffered the injury. "Obviously it goes through your mind. It's pretty hard when you get injured," Jorgensen said after being named in Joe Schmidt's 36-man squad for the Wallabies' season-opening Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. "You can't say anything until you get scans and stuff like that, so I sort of just hoped for the best and the scan turned out really well. "So, yeah, and look where I am now. So it's good." The series-opening Test against the Lions is on July 19 in Brisbane. Jorgensen is certain he will be ready. "Oh, yeah, 100 per cent," the 20-year-old wing wonder beamed. "I'm pretty much back to full fitness and playing games, so yeah. "I pretty much started full training this week, and last week, so am just getting back into it at the moment, but I can't complain. It's feeling really good." With coach Schmidt playing his cards close to his chest, Jorgensen has "no idea" where he ranks in the Wallabies' wing pecking order, or if he will feature against Fiji or be placed on ice for the Lions showpiece. Whenever, whatever, he just wants back on the park competing. "There hasn't been any discussions," he said. "That's all up to the coaches, so I don't think that's any of my decision. "I just want to play the game, 100 per cent. I play the game to play footy ultimately. I don't want to be just training and and in rehab. "It's not that good a place to be in but, yeah, I just want to play games." Despite his immense class and potential, Jorgensen didn't take his spot in the Wallabies squad for granted and said it was a nervous wait before receiving the phone call from manager Chris Thomson. "It's pretty nerve-wracking and stressful," he said. "I think most boys would say the same thing. You're always waiting for that call and you don't find out too early. You find out pretty late, so you're pretty nervous right up until the squad announcement. "And the Lions (series) is massive. It's a it's a once-in-a-career opportunity pretty much. They only come once every 12 years, so it's it's a pretty cool thing."
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Young gun Jorgensen ready and hungry to face Lions
After fearing the worst, Wallabies sensation Max Jorgensen has declared himself "100 per cent" ready to tackle the touring British and Irish Lions. Jorgensen has been sidelined since late March after falling victim to a hip-drop tackle and sustaining ankle syndesmosis in a NSW Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington. The after-the-siren try-scoring hero of Australia's famous victory over England at Twickenham last November admits he wondered if he'd miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face the Lions when he first suffered the injury. "Obviously it goes through your mind. It's pretty hard when you get injured," Jorgensen said after being named in Joe Schmidt's 36-man squad for the Wallabies' season-opening Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. "You can't say anything until you get scans and stuff like that, so I sort of just hoped for the best and the scan turned out really well. "So, yeah, and look where I am now. So it's good." The series-opening Test against the Lions is on July 19 in Brisbane. Jorgensen is certain he will be ready. "Oh, yeah, 100 per cent," the 20-year-old wing wonder beamed. "I'm pretty much back to full fitness and playing games, so yeah. "I pretty much started full training this week, and last week, so am just getting back into it at the moment, but I can't complain. It's feeling really good." With coach Schmidt playing his cards close to his chest, Jorgensen has "no idea" where he ranks in the Wallabies' wing pecking order, or if he will feature against Fiji or be placed on ice for the Lions showpiece. Whenever, whatever, he just wants back on the park competing. "There hasn't been any discussions," he said. "That's all up to the coaches, so I don't think that's any of my decision. "I just want to play the game, 100 per cent. I play the game to play footy ultimately. I don't want to be just training and and in rehab. "It's not that good a place to be in but, yeah, I just want to play games." Despite his immense class and potential, Jorgensen didn't take his spot in the Wallabies squad for granted and said it was a nervous wait before receiving the phone call from manager Chris Thomson. "It's pretty nerve-wracking and stressful," he said. "I think most boys would say the same thing. You're always waiting for that call and you don't find out too early. You find out pretty late, so you're pretty nervous right up until the squad announcement. "And the Lions (series) is massive. It's a it's a once-in-a-career opportunity pretty much. They only come once every 12 years, so it's it's a pretty cool thing." After fearing the worst, Wallabies sensation Max Jorgensen has declared himself "100 per cent" ready to tackle the touring British and Irish Lions. Jorgensen has been sidelined since late March after falling victim to a hip-drop tackle and sustaining ankle syndesmosis in a NSW Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington. The after-the-siren try-scoring hero of Australia's famous victory over England at Twickenham last November admits he wondered if he'd miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face the Lions when he first suffered the injury. "Obviously it goes through your mind. It's pretty hard when you get injured," Jorgensen said after being named in Joe Schmidt's 36-man squad for the Wallabies' season-opening Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. "You can't say anything until you get scans and stuff like that, so I sort of just hoped for the best and the scan turned out really well. "So, yeah, and look where I am now. So it's good." The series-opening Test against the Lions is on July 19 in Brisbane. Jorgensen is certain he will be ready. "Oh, yeah, 100 per cent," the 20-year-old wing wonder beamed. "I'm pretty much back to full fitness and playing games, so yeah. "I pretty much started full training this week, and last week, so am just getting back into it at the moment, but I can't complain. It's feeling really good." With coach Schmidt playing his cards close to his chest, Jorgensen has "no idea" where he ranks in the Wallabies' wing pecking order, or if he will feature against Fiji or be placed on ice for the Lions showpiece. Whenever, whatever, he just wants back on the park competing. "There hasn't been any discussions," he said. "That's all up to the coaches, so I don't think that's any of my decision. "I just want to play the game, 100 per cent. I play the game to play footy ultimately. I don't want to be just training and and in rehab. "It's not that good a place to be in but, yeah, I just want to play games." Despite his immense class and potential, Jorgensen didn't take his spot in the Wallabies squad for granted and said it was a nervous wait before receiving the phone call from manager Chris Thomson. "It's pretty nerve-wracking and stressful," he said. "I think most boys would say the same thing. You're always waiting for that call and you don't find out too early. You find out pretty late, so you're pretty nervous right up until the squad announcement. "And the Lions (series) is massive. It's a it's a once-in-a-career opportunity pretty much. They only come once every 12 years, so it's it's a pretty cool thing." After fearing the worst, Wallabies sensation Max Jorgensen has declared himself "100 per cent" ready to tackle the touring British and Irish Lions. Jorgensen has been sidelined since late March after falling victim to a hip-drop tackle and sustaining ankle syndesmosis in a NSW Waratahs Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington. The after-the-siren try-scoring hero of Australia's famous victory over England at Twickenham last November admits he wondered if he'd miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face the Lions when he first suffered the injury. "Obviously it goes through your mind. It's pretty hard when you get injured," Jorgensen said after being named in Joe Schmidt's 36-man squad for the Wallabies' season-opening Test against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6. "You can't say anything until you get scans and stuff like that, so I sort of just hoped for the best and the scan turned out really well. "So, yeah, and look where I am now. So it's good." The series-opening Test against the Lions is on July 19 in Brisbane. Jorgensen is certain he will be ready. "Oh, yeah, 100 per cent," the 20-year-old wing wonder beamed. "I'm pretty much back to full fitness and playing games, so yeah. "I pretty much started full training this week, and last week, so am just getting back into it at the moment, but I can't complain. It's feeling really good." With coach Schmidt playing his cards close to his chest, Jorgensen has "no idea" where he ranks in the Wallabies' wing pecking order, or if he will feature against Fiji or be placed on ice for the Lions showpiece. Whenever, whatever, he just wants back on the park competing. "There hasn't been any discussions," he said. "That's all up to the coaches, so I don't think that's any of my decision. "I just want to play the game, 100 per cent. I play the game to play footy ultimately. I don't want to be just training and and in rehab. "It's not that good a place to be in but, yeah, I just want to play games." Despite his immense class and potential, Jorgensen didn't take his spot in the Wallabies squad for granted and said it was a nervous wait before receiving the phone call from manager Chris Thomson. "It's pretty nerve-wracking and stressful," he said. "I think most boys would say the same thing. You're always waiting for that call and you don't find out too early. You find out pretty late, so you're pretty nervous right up until the squad announcement. "And the Lions (series) is massive. It's a it's a once-in-a-career opportunity pretty much. They only come once every 12 years, so it's it's a pretty cool thing."
Sydney Morning Herald
10 hours ago
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Why the Lions tour is rugby's greatest spectacle – and it's finally returning to Australia
Why should I care? 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.
