- The blockbuster tour match will be played between the first and second Tests.
The Lions are in discussions to play a combined Pacific Island XV side in Melbourne next year, with a blockbuster tour match potentially taking place between the first and second Test matches against Australia.
Following the collapse of the Victorian-based Rebels franchise, Rugby Australia and Lions officials have drawn up contingency plans to establish alternative opposition options for the July 22, 2025 fixture at Marvel Stadium. There were initial indications that an invitational team would be created under the Australia ‘A’ or Melbourne banner, with an all-Australian squad, but the focus has now shifted to import solutions.
Mail Sport understands that talks between RA and Lions board members are due to take place in Paris on Thursday, with the rescheduling being one of several items on the agenda. The latest scenario being discussed, according to sources, is for the Pacific Islanders to face the Lions. This would require the signing of key test players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, with the respective national unions cooperating.
The only potential stumbling block would be Lions coach Andy Farrell’s concerns about facing such a dangerous and powerful opponent just four days before the crucial second Test against the Wallabies at the MCG. But the Lions have a large and quality squad and it is unlikely they will have many or even no back-up players to play for midweek and weekends later in the tour.
If the plan is agreed, the revised fixtures will be a hit with travelling supporters and locals alike. Fiji alone will be a brutal and entertaining test, provided they can call up key players such as La Rochelle flanker Levani Bhotia, the rambunctious No. 8 William ‘Bill’ Mata and versatile backs Semi Radradra and Joshua Tuisova.
Andy Farrell’s Lions could face a star-studded Pacific Island side during their tour of Australia.
Fijian flanker Levani Bhotia could be one of the players the Lions face in Melbourne.
The last Lions Tour took place in South Africa in 2021 and is scheduled to head to Australia next year.
At the last World Cup, Tonga unleashed a slew of superstars from other countries, including Charles Piutau, George Moala, Malakai Fekitoa and Ben Tameifuina. And Samoa had the talent of Saracens flanker Theo McFarland and former All Blacks players Rima Sopoaga, Stephen Luatua and Charlie Faumuina. If a top-notch coach can assemble the three squads, they could become a formidable force.
A Pacific Islanders team was formed to play against major opposition from 2004 to 2008, but the concept was abandoned due to logistical and administrative issues. In terms of history with the Lions, Fiji is the only Pacific Island nation to have participated in the competition, famously beating a respected touring team 25-21 in Suva in 1977.
Meanwhile, Down Under officials are believed to be pushing ahead with plans to have the Lions’ game in Adelaide on July 12 next year be a joint Australia-New Zealand fixture – seven days before the first test in Brisbane. Concerns have been raised over the clash between the All Blacks and Maori All Blacks, which could see a number of key Kiwi players unavailable, but Mail Sport understands there is confidence a solution can be found that does not require a radical rethink.
This could include the recruitment of recently retired former All Blacks who are still playing overseas, with big names like Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane sure to be high on the referee’s wish list. The team, which cannot adopt the term ANZAC due to government regulations, is likely to be a mix of familiar New Zealand veterans and fringe Australian prospects.
