Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan has revealed that he is negotiating with New Zealand Rugby officials about the possibility of fielding a combined ANZAC side against the British and Irish Lions in 2025.
The Lions are set to face the Wallabies in a three-Test series in Australia in three years time but McLennan said they are involved in discussions about adding a fourth Test against an ANZAC XV at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“We’ve talked to the Kiwis about hosting an Anzac team against the Lions in 2025 and they’re considering the idea,” he told the Daily Mail.
“I’m in no doubt it would be a belter and we’d sell the MCG out with 100,000 fans.
“The best of the Wallabies and the All Blacks against the Lions would create enormous global coverage.”
If the match goes ahead, it will not be the first time the Lions take on a combined Wallabies and All Blacks side.
Lions victorious in 1989
In 1989, the famous touring team faced an ANZAC XV at Ballymore in Brisbane in the final match of their tour and sealed a 19-15 victory after they secured a 2-1 Test series triumph.
However, that ANZAC team had mostly Australians in their ranks as just three All Blacks participated. The match took place while New Zealand were also hosting Argentina in a two-Test series and the All Blacks who were involved in the ANZAC team made individual choices about risking injury by playing.
Rugby Australia’s proposal comes despite an unfriendly atmosphere between them and New Zealand Rugby in recent months over Super Rugby’s future beyond 2023, although McLennan claimed the relationship was fine.
“All is good with the Kiwis now, we’re friends again and we’d be happy to give them a cut,” he said.
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