Preliminary discussions about an ANZAC XV being reinvented has multiple exciting dimensions for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour.
Certainly, one will be finding a selection policy that earns more than three Wallabies a place in the actual team which might be the brutal truth if the starting XV was picked today.
It’s the sort of team that will be “assembled” rather than “selected” which creates the opportunity for a good balance of players from both sides of the Tasman.
News from Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan that New Zealand Rugby is “considering the idea” is a positive after RA floated the possibility of an ANZAC XV for the 2025 Lions tour.
“I’m in no doubt it would be a belter…the best of the Wallabies and the All Blacks against the Lions would create enormous global coverage,” McLennan said.
The first question is “Does the tour need such a game?” after the one-off staging in 1989 was dropped from the 2001 and 2013 tours.
What the 2025 tour needs most of all is competitive matches outside the three Tests on what will likely be a 10-game tour. So, yes.
On paper, the ANZAC XV would certainly have enough firepower to stretch the Lions, albeit with only two or three training runs to find a little groove.
Rugby officials could do themselves a big favour by first learning the lessons of 2013.
Australia’s best Super Rugby sides at the time were basically forced to play the Lions with a hand tied behind their backs.
You could understand 11 Wallabies being told they couldn’t play for the NSW Waratahs side which faced the Lions a week out from the first Test.
Nick Farr-Jones of the ANZAC XV in action during the British Lions tour in 1989. (photo by Russell Cheyne /Allsport)
Not allowing seven Wallabies to play for the Queensland Reds TWO weeks before the first Test was lunacy. It was a major own goal.
The understrength Reds still gave a wonderful account of themselves in the first competitive fixture of the 2013 tour.
They ran it from everywhere. Luke Morahan scored a stunning kick-and-chase try and it was the one day on that tour you were glad coach Robbie Deans had dropped Quade Cooper.
Cooper skippered Queensland and the thrilling contest for more than 50,000 fans was much closer than the final 22-12 scoreline at Suncorp Stadium.
First point. Rugby Australia must make sure that two Super Rugby sides, at least, are at full-strength when they take on the Lions.
The successful reactivation of the Australia A program this year means Australia A will have a crack at the Lions too.
That’s a great step considering the wonderful Australia A upset on the 2001 tour when a Scott Staniforth try and Manny Edmonds boot sunk the Lions 28-25 in Gosford.
I’m unashamedly a fan of the ANZAC XV concept. Too many Australians on ANZAC Day believe they are honouring only Australian sacrifices at war.
The acronym connects Australia and New Zealand in the most meaningful way. The more that can be highlighted the better.
It’s also fair that not all are comfortable with it. When The Roar posted a story in April about the ANZAC XV concept, this reasoned response came through: “War has little to do with sport…uncomfortable with the ANZAC acronym.”
It wouldn’t be The Roar with other more light-hearted takes: “Just call the team NZ…North Island, South Island and West Island combined.”
Finding a spot in June-July for an ANZAC XV game is the next hurdle.
The reason the inaugural ANZAC XV line-up of 1989 was weaker than hoped was because it couldn’t unravel a scheduling dilemma.
In the end, Steve McDowall, Frano Botica and Kieran Crowley were the only Kiwis to run out with 12 Aussies at Ballymore.
It was less of a spectacle than hoped because the match fell on the free July weekend between the two Tests of the All Blacks’ series against Argentina.
Headliners Buck Shelford, Sean Fitzpatrick, John Kirwan, Grant Fox and others decided not to risk injury and declined invitations.
Michael Lynagh potted 11 points with the boot and pacey Ian Williams scored the ANZAC XV’s only try. The Lions, captained by Scotland’s David Sole that day, got home 19-15 in the second half.
A number of decorated war veterans from Australia and NZ were invited to the match and stirred the ANZAC spirit even more at the post-game dinner.
The ANZAC XV game in 1989 was played AFTER the three Tests of the tour as the final match of the tour. Such is the modern way, top-level games of rugby are rarely played for sheer fun.
As appealing as it might be to play this as a Barbarians-style game to end the tour, reality will be discussed too.
The idea of the ANZAC XV is, in part, to create another competitive match on the tour. There’s no use having it after the series when preparing the Lions for the Tests is more on point.
It’s a tough crystal ball exercise but consider this as a possible ANZAC XV in 2025.
ANZAC XV: Will Jordan (Crusaders), Caleb Clarke (Blues), Jordan Petaia (Queensland Reds), Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes), Corey Toole (ACT Brumbies), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), Tate McDermott (Queensland Reds), Rob Valetini (ACT Brumbies), Dalton Papali’i (Blues), Shannon Frizell (Highlanders), Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs), Nick Frost (ACT Brumbies), Taniela Tupou (Queensland Reds), George Bell (Crusaders), Angus Bell (NSW Waratahs).
Mark Baptist
Guest
My opinion - for what it's worth - is that Hamish McLennan has little or no idea of what he is doing and/or no clue as to the logistical, finanical and other realities of this concept. For one, he seriously expects to sell out the MCG with this when they haven't played rugby union there for many years, which anyone can see is clearly ridiculous.
Single Malt
Guest
Kockas?
Mark Baptist
Guest
While I appreciate the concept, I'm afraid to say that from what I've read, I fail to see how this would succeed on any metric. There are so many serious doubts regarding the viability of this match - selection criteria, logistics, scheduling, player interest, a realistic potential crowd and the onerous expense of arranging the match itself - that these seem, at first glance, insurmountable or very close to being so for a one-off match that would serve little or no benefit to the Wallabies, Australian rugby, New Zealand rugby or rugby in general. In fact, allowing for Australia's share of the expected costs (set-up, player salaries, etc.) of this ANZAC XV, making Australian women's rugby fully professional (as it is in New Zealand and England) would cost far less and be of more benefit to Australian rugby and rugby as a whole. For the record, I want the best outcome for everyone, and I wish Rugby Australia and the NZRU all the best in their endeavours - I am very sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Jim (and everyone), but I see this as having disaster written all over it.
Olly
Roar Rookie
Or the Wallabies? :laughing:
Geoff Parkes
Expert
He might be the AB's coach by then, Olly. Or the England coach... :crying: :laughing:
Ben Pobjie
Expert
After we annex Aotearoa in 2024, they all will be
Olly
Roar Rookie
Razor?
Olly
Roar Rookie
Certain Valentini would make that team. Also, the ABs centers are not setting the world on fire. I would have Ikitau at 13 and Foteki and Samu over Havilli.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Amen Knocka, why I don't like Anzac day matches where they using the same thing to promote a game and make more money. I also add it's my personal opinion, and don't get over the top upset about it, just to me Anzac day is 9or shouldbe) more important than Xmas days to NZ and Australia.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Brian if you think the general public's bodies etc get hammered like pro rugby (or most pro sports) you live in a different world to mine. Hell professional runners will only run 4 marathons a year (and many less), golfers won't play every week, ditto basketball, NFL, soccer etc. You can play every week of year, but not of a great standard! General public don't generally have to operate at top level evrytime they out there.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
That was kind of done during the 1986 IRB centenary matches.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Coach's spray will have an entirely new meaning! :silly:
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Now that sounds like a career for me
Targa
Roar Rookie
The ANZAC XV should play an Ottoman Empire XV, or perhaps Ottomans combined with the best of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Not sure how good the opposition will be though.
Fox
Roar Guru
Jordan Petaia ahead of Reiko Ioane – my god Jim are you serious? One (Reiko with insane acceleration) is world class player while the other has too many flaws in his game. But that is the problem with these kind of lineups – It is not the best 15 or 23 you can put on the park but the the team that will create interest on both sides of the ditch so holds little interest for this kid. It’s a who cares game really as the only thing that is at stake is the Lions reputation. A better team would one that included Argentina and SA – then its the best of the South v the best of North. Sorry Jim but in that combo team I cannot see one Australian making it except maybe Kerevi at 12 and even then he has stiff competition despite his obvious skill.
Mirt
Roar Rookie
What do you really think waxy?
Mirt
Roar Rookie
I womder too
Jacko
Roar Rookie
It would save a lot of time. We wont need a world cup just have this match.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
That cant be right Tooley. Its definitely a biscuit. :silly:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Just make it the 4 nations players who's ancestry is from either Aus or NZ. There is plenty.....