Rugby Australia and Lions unable to come to an agreement over tour sticking point

The British and Irish Lions won’t budge, but neither will Rugby Australia and national coach Joe Schmidt, leaving a contentious issue unresolved as the Lions series looms closer.

Tension is growing between Rugby Australia and the British & Irish Lions on the eve of their first tour game, after the parties were unable to come to an agreement on the release of Wallabies players for Super Rugby teams.

Despite several talks and face-to-face meetings, RA chief executive Phil Waugh and Lions boss Ben Calveley remain at loggerheads about the contentious issue.

Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

British and Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The Lions believe most, if not all, Wallabies players should be released from camp to play for their franchises, while RA and national coach Joe Schmidt are standing firm on their position that top Wallabies mustn’t be overworked heading into the three-Test series.

Calveley hit out at RA upon the Lions’ arrival to Perth at the start of the week, and heading into Saturday’s match against Western Force the drama looms heavy.

“It’s still not resolved, but we need to work constructively to resolve it,” Waugh told CODE Sports.

“We’ve got a very clear position on it and we’re working with them to resolve it and so hopefully that’ll be resolved imminently.”

The Wallabies have released six of the nine Force players in their squad for the game at Optus Stadium, with Jeremy Williams, Carlo Tizzano and Harry Potter remaining in Newcastle as Australia prepares for their warm-up Test against Fiji on Sunday week.

Schmidt has agreed to release two Queenslanders, Hunter Paisami and Matt Faessler, for the Reds game against the Lions next Wednesday, but top stars Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Filipo Daugunu and Tom Lynagh will remain in Newcastle.

The Lions’ match against NSW Waratahs is a day before the Wallabies play Fiji, so there’s no chance of major releases there.

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt is standing firm. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images for ARU

While it has been common for the All Blacks and Springboks to rest their stars for club games during Lions tours, there is clearly a belief from the touring camp that Australian teams are weaker and the blocking of Wallabies from playing could see blowout scores that dampen their preparation for Test games.

Lions coach Andy Farrell would not be drawn into the controversy.

“I’ve got enough on my plate making sure that we deal with ourselves, certainly at this period of the early stages of the tour, so I understand your question, but I’ll allow the powers that be who know all the answers to the what-ifs, to get on with that,” Farrell said.

Andy Farrell is not being drawn into the controversy. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images

Waugh said RA and the Lions had their own interpretation of what had been agreed to pre-tour, but is adamant the hosts will hold their position and not allow their rivals to dictate team selections.

“Like all agreements, interpretation is a big part of them,” Waugh said.

“Also, when you think about player welfare, you want to ensure that every game is as competitive as possible and also that the players are well looked after.

“The Wallabies need to prepare for the first Test on the 19th of July and obviously that Test match against Fiji on the 6th of July is a really important Test match in that preparation.

“And then, ensuring that all players get the appropriate amount of game time is important. Ultimately, we want to be as competitive as possible in those provincial games and obviously the First Nations Pasifika game in between the first and second Tests.

“And then the AUNZ game, we’re pretty close to announcing a very exciting team which hopefully captures the imagination of all sort of Australians, New Zealanders, but also the Lions supporters who are travelling around the country.”

Waugh says Rugby Australia will hold their position and not allow their rivals to dictate team selections. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Up to now, RA and the Lions had enjoyed a friendly build-up, with several executives being wined and dined in Australia a few weeks prior to the tour.

Waugh believes an outcome will be reached soon.

“We’ve got a really constructive partnership alliance, it’s been strong right through from the establishment of the joint venture and the planning for the tour and so we’re working constructively with them in partnership for the tour,” Waugh said.

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“Part of that is the long-form agreement as well as the tours agreement and within that it stipulates selection of teams. And like everything we’ve done across the organisation, we’ve been very considered, very disciplined around the way we’ve gone about things, and the planning for this tour has been exactly the same.

“Through (director of high performance) Peter Horne and Joe Schmidt, we’ve worked through the selection of teams to ensure we’ve got the best possible teams and most competitive teams that are out on the park against the Lions.”

Originally published as Rugby Australia and Lions unable to come to an agreement over tour sticking point