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EXCLUSIVE: ANZAC team in talks to face the Lions in 2025 with the Wallabies and All Blacks to join forces for the first time in 36 YEARS to host the Melbourne showpiece
- Wallabies and All Blacks are in talks to field an iconic ANZAC XV in 2025
- Two heavyweights want to join forces to take on the British and Irish Lions
- It is hoped that the game would draw a sold-out crowd at Melbourne Cricket Ground
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The Wallabies and All Blacks have opened talks about drafting an iconic ANZAC XV against the British and Irish Lions in 2025.
Sports post may reveal heavyweights in the southern hemisphere are looking to join forces to host the showpiece for the first time in 36 years.
The Trans-Tasman side was last seen on the 1989 Lions tour, which featured a combination of David Campese, Kieran Crowley and Michael Lynagh.
The Wallabies and All Blacks are in talks about an ANZAC XV vs the Lions in 2025
Organizers hope the match will draw a sold-out crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, playing the three-Test series against the tourists.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan said: Sports post“We’ve talked to the Kiwis about hosting an ANZAC team against the Lions in 2025 and they’re considering the idea.
“I have no doubt that it would become a belter and that we would sell the MCG with 100,000 fans.”
With last year’s series being played behind closed doors in South Africa, the hosts are hoping for a wave of foreign interest.
If the negotiations are successful, Taniela Tupou and Ardie Savea could merge into a blockbuster XV.
It is hoped that the draw vs the Lions would draw a sold out crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
“The best of the Wallabies and the All Blacks against the Lions would create massive global coverage,” added McLennan.
Tensions between the Australian and New Zealand unions have been high of late, with McLennan describing them as ‘naughty boys’ during the Super Rugby negotiations last month.
However, he insisted that harmony has now been restored and suggested that the nations could reach an agreement on revenue sharing.
“All is well with the Kiwis now, we are friends again and we would like to give them a share,” McLennan said.
A combined All Blacks/Wallabies side was also proposed by then Australian Rugby Union chief John O’Neill in 2012, with the aim of having the united side face the Lions in Twickenham in 2015 to mark the centenary of the ANZAC landing in Gallipoli.
Former Wallabies star Drew Mitchell (pictured) was eager to be selected when Australian Rugby Union head John O’Neill suggested forming an ANZAC team in 2015 to play against the Lions.
The idea gained the support of some great Wallabies, with Digby Ioane and Will Genia expressing their excitement, along with No.8 Wycliff Palu and fullback Drew Mitchell.
“Guys would look forward to that and strive to get on that team,” said Paul.
“A lot of people would like to see it and guys would love to be part of that squad so it would be good for rugby if it gets off the ground.”
Mitchell was equally enthusiastic.
Ian Williams scores a try for the combined Wallabies/All Blacks side against the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane in 1989 – the last time such a team took the field
“It’s up to people higher up the food chain than me to figure out if it’s a year in, year out thing or if it’s like the Lions where it’s every four years and it’s a different country every time.” , he said.
“But because there is so much history between the two sides on and off the rugby field, it makes a lot of sense. You wouldn’t find many hands that aren’t made up for that selection.’
However, the idea never came to fruition.
When the ANZAC side faced the Lions at Brisbane’s Ballymore ground in 1989, there were already cracks in the concept due to the side’s very uneven nature.
Only three New Zealand players – Frano Botica, Kieran Crowley and Steve McDowell – took part, alongside Australian stars including Nick Farr Jones, Michael Lynagh and Simon Poidevin. The Lions won 19-15.