Rugby Australia has offered to host this year’s British and Irish Lions series against South Africa, officials confirmed.
Fears have grown that the invitational side’s highly anticipated tour could be cancelled as South Africa’s Covid-19 cases ballooned to more than 1.4 million, with almost 45,000 deaths.
However, the virus is largely contained in Australia and new Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos said it was in a position to accommodate the Lions tour.
“If we can provide a safe haven, an environment where the British and Irish Lions tour can continue, why wouldn’t we?” he told reporters.
“It’s so important for the global rugby economy and the global rugby community that we have international rugby played with as little disruption as possible.”
The eight-match tour is scheduled to run from July 3 to August 7 and features three Tests between the Lions and the world champion Springboks, on July 24, July 31 and August 7.
Both sides have said they want the series to proceed in some form and Boks rugby director Rassie Erasmus said last month the South Africans “will do anything” to play the Lions.
There has been speculation matches could be played without crowds in South Africa, or played in Britain, but spiralling infection rates mean both options look remote.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said his organisation would only seek to cover its costs for staging the series, meaning the Lions and South African Rugby would still split revenue from one of the most lucrative events on the rugby calendar.
“The fact that we can fill stadiums and play in relatively friendly time zones for them could deliver high benefits,” he told The Australian newspaper.
“All member unions need revenue in Covid times and I’m sure we could deliver them a big cheque at the end of the day.” AFP