Lions tour 2013

Saturday 1 June	Barbarians v British & Irish Lions	Hong Kong
Wednesday 5 June	Western Force v British & Irish Lions	Perth
Saturday 8 June	Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions	Brisbane
Wednesday 12 June	Combined New South Wales - Queensland Country v British & Irish Lions	Newcastle
Saturday 15 June	New South Wales Waratahs v British & Irish Lions	Sydney
Tuesday 18 June	ACT Brumbies v British & Irish Lions	Canberra
Saturday 22 June	1st Test Australia v British & Irish Lions	Brisbane
Tuesday 25 June	Melbourne Rebels v British & Irish Lions	Melbourne
Saturday 29 June	2nd Test Australia v British & Irish Lions	Melbourne
Saturday 6 July	3rd Test Australia v British & Irish Lions	Sydney

Doesn't seem like a proper tour to me.

This is the first time I've looked at the schedule as I was going to write an article proposing a 'Super-Lions' between all NHvSH teams on a 2x4 year N/S hemisphere cycle.

But looking at the brevity of the 2013 tour I can see that I'd have talking through my arse...

Either professional rugby is sad or I am. (don't tell me - I know perfectly well that this is the 21st Century)

This isn't a tour - it's virtually a weekend break.

I love the Lion's tours but less games with a bit of luck may mean our players wont miss half the season

It's only a six week 'tour'.

How much would it cost to follow it?

Anyone going?

Portnoy, any fan who does the whole thing will be leaving in May and returning in July. That is a serious tour in my book. Ill be going.

In terms of cost no company has released a price yet. Remember that you'll have a number of internal flights which can make it pricy.

For example there are 4,500km between Perth and Brisbane. 1800km between Brisbane and Melbourne and several other journeys on the tour are around 800-900km each.

Maybe I wasn't used to the good old days but 3 tests, 6 dirt track matches and a test against the Baa Baas seems pretty good to me.

It's only 2 games shy of the 89 tour and to be quite fair at least 3 of those games were pointless exercises.

It depends how the Rebels, Force and Brumbies perform between now and then, but I can only see one potential walkover at the moment and that's the Rebels game between the first and second Tests.

It all looks pretty well planned to me.

Might make it out for the third Test, my cousin emigrated to Sydney about 9 years ago.

I think it'll be an awesome tour, it's the Lions after all.
I'm living in Stdney at the moment, and I can tell you that internal flights are very reasonable, as long as you book early. I could get to Perth for $150, which is about £90-100.

The last tour to Aussie was pretty special, I think this will be too. There aren't too many trams to play out here, so the six weeks is fine in my opinion.

And of course any 606 regs who want to book a Lions tour give me a PM for more info!!

Portnoy Ive checked and its exactly the same as the 2001 Australia Lions tour 12 years ago.

It is also only ONE week shorter than the 1989 tour to Australia.

Whats the problem? They have never done a tour to Australia before then on its own.

That's against v2 rules Staggy.

You'd be having a duplicate username next.

Helping out pals aint against the rules Portnoy.

The Welsh and English regs gave me great advice on my holidays to South Wales and Devon last year. Im just returning the favour.



Really though whats your beef with the tour lenght. Its basically the same as it always is for Australia.

Just seems so short.

Needs a small squad and some of the dirt-trackers will even then hardly get a bench appearance.

I've done the last 3 tours, but only going out for the test matches, usually just over 3 weeks in total.

You can book through tour groups if you have the cash, you would probibly be looking at at least 5 grand plus spending money. From what I've heard you get well looked after, it takes a lot of the grief out of planning the logistics and of course you secure your match tickets........

......but its 5 grand odd plus spending!!

We've done all our own planning in the past and the trips have cost around £3500-£4000 all in. And while we have had a few scares, we have always managed to get match tickets, only once having to pay over the odds (through a tour group, ticket at face value, hat, scarf, backpack and pen for £150!).

Every trip has been fantasic, banter top class and I would love to do it again next year (lets be honest, it would be nice to see a winning series) anyone fancy loaing me say, £3500-£4000?

logie28 wrote:I've done the last 3 tours, but only going out for the test matches, usually just over 3 weeks in total.

You can book through tour groups if you have the cash, you would probibly be looking at at least 5 grand plus spending money. From what I've heard you get well looked after, it takes a lot of the grief out of planning the logistics and of course you secure your match tickets........

......but its 5 grand odd plus spending!!

We've done all our own planning in the past and the trips have cost around £3500-£4000 all in. And while we have had a few scares, we have always managed to get match tickets, only once having to pay over the odds (through a tour group, ticket at face value, hat, scarf, backpack and pen for £150!).

Every trip has been fantasic, banter top class and I would love to do it again next year (lets be honest, it would be nice to see a winning series) anyone fancy loaing me say, £3500-£4000?

Logie sure if you tried hiring a campervan for the 2013 Lions Tour - http://www.travellers-autobarn.com.au/british-lions-tour-australia-2013-campervan-hire that it would come less than £3500-£4000?

Don't worry, you still have a 6 months to go!

Good luck

Given in and bought tickets for the HK match, despite the outrageous pricing. Can't turn down the Lions bandwagon being in town.

Never done an Aussies/Lions tour so completing the set next year, work committments getting in way a bit so just going for the Rebels and last two tests.

Cant wait