Andy Farrell says Australia no longer hosting British & Irish Lions tour would be 'tragic' - 'It's insulting'
Published 01/08/2025 at 09:59 GMT+1
Australia's decline as a force in international rugby has led to some suggestions that the British & Irish Lions could tour elsewhere in future. Andy Farrell's side could seal a series whitewash if they win the third and final Test against the Wallabies on Saturday. But Farrell insisted it would be "tragic" if the Lions did not visit Australia in the future.
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Andy Farrell said removing Australia as hosts of the British & Irish Lions tours would be "tragic".
The Lions won the first two Tests of their three-Test series against the Wallabies, and some have questioned Australia's status as future hosts.
They currently share the privilege with New Zealand and South Africa, with each country hosting the Lions every 12 years.
But Farrell claimed talk of no longer allowing Australia to host is "insulting".
"I don't think it was ever on the agenda [Australia being removed as future Lions hosts], in my opinion," the Lions head coach told reporters.
"It would be tragic for us not to tour here. We've had a blast, and to me it's insulting to even talk about it in that type of way.
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"Every single team, country, province has their ups and downs, but Australia with the sporting nation they are, are always going to come back.
"That performance [at the MCG] last weekend was no surprise to us, and that's why we expect them to be better on Saturday.
"Have a look at the year they've got coming up. They're going to be a force to be reckoned with 100 per cent, through all their experiences, come the World Cup in 2027."
Asked whether he will remain with the Lions for the 2029 Tour of New Zealand, Farrell was unrevealing.
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"Give me a break. Let me get through Saturday. Honestly, for me, it's been absolutely brilliant," he added.
"I've loved absolutely every single minute. I knew I would because I just love everything the Lions do.
"Thinking about the future is something that's surely not on my mind until I get home and have a bit of reflection on the whole thing.
"I think it's just trusting yourself to live in the moment and what's needed for any type of situation, because there's a hell of a lot of planning.
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Andy Farrell has seen the Lions claim a series victory in Australia
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"But the reality is we're all just human beings and we've got to make sure we adjust on the way and trust yourself to be able to do that.
"I think you should never shy away from shooting for the stars, because you might end up on the moon."
The Lions are targeting a series whitewash in rainy Sydney, after beating Australia 29-26 with a dramatic late try in Melbourne.
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