There is more on the line for the British & Irish Lions tour than just pride for beleaguered Australian rugby union
W
allabies coach Joe Schmidt named his 36-man squad to face Fiji and the British & Irish Lions, recalling the enigmatic Will Skelton from La Rochelle, rewarding the uncapped Nick Champion de Crespigny’s rousing form for Castres Olympique, and bringing giant lock Darcy Swain in from the cold.
Former star prop Taniela Tupou had wondered publicly if he’d forgotten how to play the game but Schmidt believes he can rekindle his glory days. Perth-born Carlo Tizzano is in having led Super Rugby try-scoring and tackle counts all year. And Sevens bolter Corey Toole, who scored twice in the Brumbies’ semi-final loss, looks set for a Test debut with Queensland’s Tim Ryan missing out.
With half-a-million fans set to attend nine sold-out games on this ninth Lions tour, Schmidt knows 2025 must be a gamechanger for Rugby Australia. The tour, a 12-year circus, needs to fund the vaunted “golden era” of a home 2027 men’s World Cup, the 2029 women’s World Cup and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
