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There are so many ill-conceived decisions in the current Lions itinerary it defies description. This is an expansion on my column of yesterday.
Firstly, there should never have been an opening game in Hong Kong. Forget the commercial and social aspects, the Lions were touring Australia, and that’s where they should have been from the get-go.
There should never have been a Super Rugby fixture in the Lions window.
Seeing the Reds, Waratahs, and Brumbies supply 87% of the current Wallaby squad, all three teams should have been at full-strength against the Lions, not only for their sake, but their supporters as well.
Just as importantly, the Lions deserved more respect than being forced to play against weakened sides.
And arguably the worst decision was to keep the top 25 of the Wallaby squad without a game of any description for nearly a month before they play the first Test.
That’s given the Lions a huge advantage, travelling as a unit and playing two games a week. They will be much more match-hardened, and game ready.
Finally, who had the idea of pitting the Force versus Lions game directly against Origin I, the Combined NSW-Queensland Country versus Lions game against the Socceroos-Jordan World Cup qualifier, and the Brumbies versus Lions game against the Socceroos-Iran qualifier.
All avoidable, and absurd clashes in the decision-making process.
So here is what the Lions schedule should have been like. It’s not Utopia, but it’s as close to perfect as possible:
June 1 (Sat) – Lions v full-strength Reds at Suncorp.
June 4 (Tues) – Lions v full-strength Brumbies at Canberra.
June 5 (Wed) – Origin I at ANZ.
June 8 (Sat) – Lions v full-strength Waratahs at Allianz.
Select a 32-man Wallaby squad coached by Robbie Deans and based in Sydney.
Select a 23-man Australia A squad coached by Ewen McKenzie, based in Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
June 11 (Tues) – Socceroos v Jordan, World Cup qualifier.
June 12 (Wed) – Lions v Rebels, minus squad members, at Etihad.
June 15 (Sat) – Lions v Force, minus squad members, in Perth.
June 18 (Tues) – Socceroos v Iran, Cup qualifier.
June 19 (Wed) – Lions v Australia A at Suncorp.
June 22 (Sat) – first Test at ANZ.
June 26 (Wed) – Origin II.
June 29 (Sat) – Second Test at Suncorp.
July 6 (Sat) – Third Test at ANZ.
The features of the alternative itinerary are obvious.
Run the Lions around the country from Brisbane to Canberra, to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Brisbane, and Sydney to give the Wallabies the advantage a home side should enjoy.
Selecting the two squads after the Reds, Waratahs, and Brumbies had played against the Lions would have been the ultimate litmus test.
Australia A would have nine days to prepare for their one-off game. Ample time.
The Wallabies would have 12 days before the first Test, more than enough time.
It’s worth repeating my alternative itinerary isn’t perfect, but it’s a damn sight more appealing to a lot more fans, and especially the Lions, than the current set-up.