Waugh’s wager: What the Lions Tour means for rugby union’s future
Australia’s rugby clubs have been unable to tame the British and Irish Lions. But this tour means far more to Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh than match wins.
The future of Australian rugby is heavily reliant on the success of this Lions Tour, and on new young star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Getty Images
On a typical night at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, the NSW Waratahs are lucky to have 17,000 people in the stands. When the club took on the British and Irish Lions last weekend, there were more than 40,500.
The turnout did not reflect the home side’s chances – most did not believe the Waratahs stood a chance. But they put up a decent fight, ultimately losing by 11 points to a team made up of Britain and Ireland’s best rugby union players.
Zoe SamiosBusiness reporterZoe Samios covers wagering and the business of sport from the AFR's Sydney newsroom. She was previously the media and telecommunications reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and covered media at The Australian. Connect with Zoe on Twitter. Email Zoe at zoe.samios@afr.com
