Lions 2021 to be played in the UK?

[assfly]

Infection rates in SA finally starting to decrease.

Vaccine rollout picking up pace in the UK.

Keep the Lions tour to SA on please

[clydecloggie]

Don't know where I read it, but the people that matter the most (i.e., the sponsors) will apparently be told on 28 January what's going to happen with the Lions tour. Given that it would be impossible to state with any confidence that the tour will go ahead by then, it will clearly not go ahead.

So UK Tests or nothing at all are the two live options then.

[Sandstorm]

June 2022 in SA. Here. First.

[assfly]

I still think it can go ahead. If they consider how much things can improve in the next 5 months, rather than only looking at the current situation.

It will be tragic if they cancel or move the tour, and then come June 2021 they realise they could have gone ahead with it.

[Glaston]

June 2022 in SA. Here. First.

What happens to the 2022 summer tours?
Ireland in NZ?
Wales in South Africa?

Gatland's contract?
etc etc




As for it actually happening in 2021. Pretty unlikely.

What if the UK/Irish domestic season continues into june/july?
Or the 6 Nations is postponed.

[PlanetGlyndwr]

I still think it can go ahead. If they consider how much things can improve in the next 5 months, rather than only looking at the current situation.

It will be tragic if they cancel or move the tour, and then come June 2021 they realise they could have gone ahead with it.

tragic? 100,000 dying from covid is tragic not some glorified piss-up being postponed

[ACE]

By implying the UK could host the matches, they are conveniently forgetting that a) the UK has the world's highest death rate and b) the UK now has over a 100000 deaths.

South Africa isn't close to that. A miracle really considering how closely packed people live together in the townships.

So let's not pretend this is a South African issue.

[assfly]

Mike Tindall said on his podcast this week that he's heard the tour to SA will go ahead, just with restricted numbers in stadiums and other protocol. Not sure what his source is, but great news if true.

[Sandstorm]

Mike Tindall said on his podcast this week that he's heard the tour to SA will go ahead, just with restricted numbers in stadiums and other protocol. Not sure what his source is, but great news if true.

Stadiums full of 75 year old English, Welsh and Scots fans. Saffers and Irish locked out.

[assfly]

Stadiums full of 75 year old English, Welsh and Scots fans. Saffers and Irish locked out.

The pubs outside the stadium will be pumping

[clydecloggie]

Scots fans for the Lions? Unlikely. Unless you count the ones in Springbok jerseys.

[Slick]

Rugby Australia offers to host the tour

[Jock42]

Rugby Australia offers to host the tour

I'd still rather it was postponed. In fact I might even make it if its next year.

[assfly]

Looks like a decision has been deferred to the end of March, but Laporte hints it could be the UK.

Delaying the decision will also mean more vaccines have been rolled out, so the situation in both places may have improved.

Keep the tour on!

[OomStruisbaai]

Looks like a decision has been deferred to the end of March, but Laporte hints it could be the UK.

Delaying the decision will also mean more vaccines have been rolled out, so the situation in both places may have improved.

Keep the tour on!

Yep its down from 17000 to 4000 new cases in a months time. Surely it will only get better with the arrival of vaccines. Hopeful before winter start in June we will be close to zero.

[Paddington Bear]

For me if it can’t be in SA then it has to be UK. Would be special in a different way, plenty of saffers for a good atmosphere in the stadiums as well.

[assfly]

For me if it can’t be in SA then it has to be UK. Would be special in a different way, plenty of saffers for a good atmosphere in the stadiums as well.

Can you definitely say that stadiums will have fans by then?

[Paddington Bear]

For me if it can’t be in SA then it has to be UK. Would be special in a different way, plenty of saffers for a good atmosphere in the stadiums as well.

Can you definitely say that stadiums will have fans by then?

Definitely? No. Half capacity would strike me as possible

[Sandstorm]

Fcuk! Not another undeserving Test match for the Welsh!!!

[FalseBayFC]

By implying the UK could host the matches, they are conveniently forgetting that a) the UK has the world's highest death rate and b) the UK now has over a 100000 deaths.

South Africa isn't close to that. A miracle really considering how closely packed people live together in the townships.

So let's not pretend this is a South African issue.

ACE, our excess deaths are over 120000 now year on year. Most Covid deaths will be unreported. There are vast rural areas where a medical examiner will issue a death certificate without autopsy or testing. Actually no corpses are tested. Covid deaths are only recorded where the deceased tested positive prior to death.

I also agree Lions tour shouldn't go ahead.

[SaintK]

For me if it can’t be in SA then it has to be UK. Would be special in a different way, plenty of saffers for a good atmosphere in the stadiums as well.

Can you definitely say that stadiums will have fans by then?

Very much doubt they will be at capacity that's for sure! Also not sure where we will be with regards to incoming tourists either.
The Lions are a touring team, I'm not sure I want them playing test matches here.

[And 1 guest]

For me if it can’t be in SA then it has to be UK. Would be special in a different way, plenty of saffers for a good atmosphere in the stadiums as well.

Can you definitely say that stadiums will have fans by then?

Very much doubt they will be at capacity that's for sure! Also not sure where we will be with regards to incoming tourists either.
The Lions are a touring team, I'm not sure I want them playing test matches here.

Also one of the joys of a tour is seeing different combinations tried in the preparation games, and dirt trackers playing themselves into contention for a Test place. Can't see that happening at home when nobody else is playing rugby to provide opposition for either team.

[Sandstorm]

Can you definitely say that stadiums will have fans by then?

Very much doubt they will be at capacity that's for sure! Also not sure where we will be with regards to incoming tourists either.
The Lions are a touring team, I'm not sure I want them playing test matches here.

Also one of the joys of a tour is seeing different combinations tried in the preparation games, and dirt trackers playing themselves into contention for a Test place. Can't see that happening at home when nobody else is playing rugby to provide opposition for either team.

What about Saracens?

[And 1 guest]

Very much doubt they will be at capacity that's for sure! Also not sure where we will be with regards to incoming tourists either.
The Lions are a touring team, I'm not sure I want them playing test matches here.

Also one of the joys of a tour is seeing different combinations tried in the preparation games, and dirt trackers playing themselves into contention for a Test place. Can't see that happening at home when nobody else is playing rugby to provide opposition for either team.

What about Saracens?

I suppose they could all swap shirts at halftime.

[OomStruisbaai]

Favourate seems to be Australia
https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/brit ... s-20210219

[Green light echo]

Favourate seems to be Australia
https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/brit ... s-20210219

Of course. You two (UK and SA) obviously couldn't organise a root in a brothel so Australia graciously stepping up and offering to host is a no brainer. Though seeing both of your countries performance during Covid brains seem a bit thin on the ground wouldn't you say?

[Chrysoprase]

Favourate seems to be Australia
https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/brit ... s-20210219

That article is based on a story in the Telegraph which in turn has no sources other than some statements from the chairman of Rugby Australia. Of course in his mind they would be the favourites, but the whole thing is baseless speculation.

Pretty unedifying for Rugby Australia to engage in such blatant begging for cash.

[Green light echo]

Favourate seems to be Australia
https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/brit ... s-20210219

That article is based on a story in the Telegraph which in turn has no sources other than some statements from the chairman of Rugby Australia. Of course in his mind they would be the favourites, but the whole thing is baseless speculation.

Pretty unedifying for Rugby Australia to engage in such blatant begging for cash.

Begging for cash. Is that what you call covering your costs and splitting any profits between the two participants.

Personally I hope we don't host you. Neither of you deserve the tour.

Shameful effort.

[Chilli]

Favourate seems to be Australia
https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/brit ... s-20210219

That article is based on a story in the Telegraph which in turn has no sources other than some statements from the chairman of Rugby Australia. Of course in his mind they would be the favourites, but the whole thing is baseless speculation.

Pretty unedifying for Rugby Australia to engage in such blatant begging for cash.

Begging for cash. Is that what you call covering your costs and splitting any profits between the two participants.

Personally I hope we don't host you. Neither of you deserve the tour.

Shameful effort.

Weren't you banned?

[Slick]

That article is based on a story in the Telegraph which in turn has no sources other than some statements from the chairman of Rugby Australia. Of course in his mind they would be the favourites, but the whole thing is baseless speculation.

Pretty unedifying for Rugby Australia to engage in such blatant begging for cash.

Begging for cash. Is that what you call covering your costs and splitting any profits between the two participants.

Personally I hope we don't host you. Neither of you deserve the tour.

Shameful effort.

Weren't you banned?

I wish he was, I really don’t know why we bother with dickheads on this bored

[Chilli]

Begging for cash. Is that what you call covering your costs and splitting any profits between the two participants.

Personally I hope we don't host you. Neither of you deserve the tour.

Shameful effort.

Weren't you banned?

I wish he was, I really don’t know why we bother with dickheads on this bored

Asmo is way to fair

[assfly]

Based on Johnson's speech last night, I assume that having the Lions tour in the UK must now be back on the table.

I, for one, would endorse this. Nothing to do with my planned trip to the UK at the same time.

[OomStruisbaai]

Yep . Will be good for the Springbokke to tour the UK. Most are there anyways.

Our Corvid-19 cases/deaths going down quickly.

12 Jan = 712 deaths 18,502 cases vs 22 Feb = 97 deaths 792 cases

Expect lock down levels to be lowered in March

[Sandstorm]

Our Corvid-19 cases/deaths going down quickly.

12 Jan = 712 deaths 18,502 cases vs 22 Feb = 97 deaths 792 cases

Fok, your numbers are much better than the UK. Play the series in SA!

[OomStruisbaai]

Our Corvid-19 cases/deaths going down quickly.

12 Jan = 712 deaths 18,502 cases vs 22 Feb = 97 deaths 792 cases

Fok, your numbers are much better than the UK. Play the series in SA!

Yep if we get the vaccines going it can only decrease. Suppose they expect another spike when winter starts in April. Lets hope it dont happens.

[Slick]

Stephen Jones in the ST, in one of his rare lucid moments makes some very good points about postponing to next year. Makes sense to me.

However hard they try, these tournaments during COVID are just a bit shit. Bin it and go next year

[OomStruisbaai]

SA is down to level 1 from tomorrow. Allowing international travel.

Let's hope it stay like this.

[assfly]

SA is down to level 1 from tomorrow. Allowing international travel.

Let's hope it stay like this.

Great timing. I still think I'd prefer half full stadiums (in SA) this year than a postponement to next year.

[OomStruisbaai]

SA is down to level 1 from tomorrow. Allowing international travel.

Let's hope it stay like this.

Great timing. I still think I'd prefer half full stadiums (in SA) this year than a postponement to next year.

Still no crowds. Still some time left

Sport matches
No spectators are allowed at sports matches. International sport events involving countries with a low or medium Covid-19 infection and transmission rate continue to be allowed.

[Slick]

SA is down to level 1 from tomorrow. Allowing international travel.

Let's hope it stay like this.

Great timing. I still think I'd prefer half full stadiums (in SA) this year than a postponement to next year.

I don’t know how true it is but part of the argument was that the Union desperately needs the income from full stadiums and travelling support. He even suggested that the home unions extend loans to SA to get them through the next year if it is postponed.