ozbash
Referee
- Messages
- 26,922
on the wireless this morning the guy was saying that the lions will bring 20k fans with them.
do we need to build some bigger stadiums provincialy ?
will the average kiwi be able to get a ticket ?
every game will be a lions homegame with that many pommy fans there.
how much will a ticket cost ?
bet they are slutted in dunedin,, seems they are getting punished for "something" .
-----------------------------
The British and Irish Lions have agreed a programme of 10 matches during their 2005 tour of New Zealand, the itinerary for which was released on Thursday.
The tour will include three matches against the All Blacks, with the Test series starting in Christchurch on June 25.
"We expect this to be one of the biggest sporting events the country has ever held," New Zealand Rugby Union Deputy Chief Executive Officer Steve Tew said.
"The programme we have put in place reflects that, and should maximise the opportunity for all New Zealanders to see the Lions in action.
"Additionally, it will allow the whole country to share in the economic benefits that the tour will bring by providing a wonderful opportunity for the in excess of 10,000 Lions fans we anticipate will come to New Zealand to see as much of the country as is possible during their time here."
British and Irish Lions Chairman Bill Beaumont said: "As it is 12 years since the British and Irish Lions toured New Zealand it is high time we renewed our long held their traditions with the country in general and the All Blacks in particular.
"The tour itself promises to challenge the 2005 Lions from start to finish with a series of difficult assignments but I am absolutely sure that we will rise to that challenge.
"The huge level of interest and enthusiasm shown by the New Zealand public in the tour, even already, will be undoubtedly one of the highlights of this tour and we are very much looking forward to meeting all of the communities we will have the pleasure of visiting while in the country.
"Any Lions tour is a truly unique event in world rugby and I am confident that this tour will be an exceptionally successful and rewarding experience for all involved."
The Lions will play matches in venues as far apart as Auckland at the upper end of the North Island, and Invercargill at the bottom tip of the south.
There are six weekend fixtures scheduled for the tour, which kicks off with a game against Bay of Plenty at the Rotorua International Stadium on June 4, and four midweek matches.
The tourists will gain a thorough preparation for the Tests through six lead-up matches, five against sides from the first division of the Air New Zealand NPC, as well as a fixture against New Zealand Maori.
The Lions' match against New Zealand Maori, which will be played at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on June 11, promises to be one of the individual highlights of the tour.
The two teams produced a classic match during the Lions' last visit 11 years ago, with New Zealand Maori romping to a 20-0 halftime advantage before the tourists clawed their way back to win 24-20.
Another provincial contest that will be keenly anticipated is the Lions' clash with Otago. Otago has beaten the Lions on four previous occasions, including the 1993 visit when it won 37-24 at Carisbrook.
The Otago match rounds out a demanding week for the tourists who also play New Zealand Maori and Wellington within that seven-day period.
There is just one midweek engagement remaining once the Test series begins, with the Lions to play Manawatu at Palmerston North between the first and second Tests.
Manawatu is the only side from the lower divisions of the Air New Zealand NPC to have been awarded a fixture during the tour.
Westpac Stadium in Wellington will host the Lions twice. Wellington plays the tourists on June 15 and the second Test will also be held at the ground on July 2.
The tour concludes with the third Test at Eden Park in Auckland on July 9.
The tour is the eleventh by a combined British Isles side to New Zealand. The first was in 1888 and the most recent 11 years ago.
During that time, New Zealand has won 24 Tests to the Lions' six, including a 2-1 series victory in 1993 when the All Blacks won the first and third Tests in Christchurch and Auckland respectively while the tourists prevailed in Wellington.
The Lions' only previous series victory in New Zealand was achieved in 1971 when a side coached by Welshman Carwyn James prevailed 2-1, with the final Test in Auckland drawn.
do we need to build some bigger stadiums provincialy ?
will the average kiwi be able to get a ticket ?
every game will be a lions homegame with that many pommy fans there.
how much will a ticket cost ?
bet they are slutted in dunedin,, seems they are getting punished for "something" .
-----------------------------
The British and Irish Lions have agreed a programme of 10 matches during their 2005 tour of New Zealand, the itinerary for which was released on Thursday.
The tour will include three matches against the All Blacks, with the Test series starting in Christchurch on June 25.
"We expect this to be one of the biggest sporting events the country has ever held," New Zealand Rugby Union Deputy Chief Executive Officer Steve Tew said.
"The programme we have put in place reflects that, and should maximise the opportunity for all New Zealanders to see the Lions in action.
"Additionally, it will allow the whole country to share in the economic benefits that the tour will bring by providing a wonderful opportunity for the in excess of 10,000 Lions fans we anticipate will come to New Zealand to see as much of the country as is possible during their time here."
British and Irish Lions Chairman Bill Beaumont said: "As it is 12 years since the British and Irish Lions toured New Zealand it is high time we renewed our long held their traditions with the country in general and the All Blacks in particular.
"The tour itself promises to challenge the 2005 Lions from start to finish with a series of difficult assignments but I am absolutely sure that we will rise to that challenge.
"The huge level of interest and enthusiasm shown by the New Zealand public in the tour, even already, will be undoubtedly one of the highlights of this tour and we are very much looking forward to meeting all of the communities we will have the pleasure of visiting while in the country.
"Any Lions tour is a truly unique event in world rugby and I am confident that this tour will be an exceptionally successful and rewarding experience for all involved."
The Lions will play matches in venues as far apart as Auckland at the upper end of the North Island, and Invercargill at the bottom tip of the south.
There are six weekend fixtures scheduled for the tour, which kicks off with a game against Bay of Plenty at the Rotorua International Stadium on June 4, and four midweek matches.
The tourists will gain a thorough preparation for the Tests through six lead-up matches, five against sides from the first division of the Air New Zealand NPC, as well as a fixture against New Zealand Maori.
The Lions' match against New Zealand Maori, which will be played at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on June 11, promises to be one of the individual highlights of the tour.
The two teams produced a classic match during the Lions' last visit 11 years ago, with New Zealand Maori romping to a 20-0 halftime advantage before the tourists clawed their way back to win 24-20.
Another provincial contest that will be keenly anticipated is the Lions' clash with Otago. Otago has beaten the Lions on four previous occasions, including the 1993 visit when it won 37-24 at Carisbrook.
The Otago match rounds out a demanding week for the tourists who also play New Zealand Maori and Wellington within that seven-day period.
There is just one midweek engagement remaining once the Test series begins, with the Lions to play Manawatu at Palmerston North between the first and second Tests.
Manawatu is the only side from the lower divisions of the Air New Zealand NPC to have been awarded a fixture during the tour.
Westpac Stadium in Wellington will host the Lions twice. Wellington plays the tourists on June 15 and the second Test will also be held at the ground on July 2.
The tour concludes with the third Test at Eden Park in Auckland on July 9.
The tour is the eleventh by a combined British Isles side to New Zealand. The first was in 1888 and the most recent 11 years ago.
During that time, New Zealand has won 24 Tests to the Lions' six, including a 2-1 series victory in 1993 when the All Blacks won the first and third Tests in Christchurch and Auckland respectively while the tourists prevailed in Wellington.
The Lions' only previous series victory in New Zealand was achieved in 1971 when a side coached by Welshman Carwyn James prevailed 2-1, with the final Test in Auckland drawn.
