Lions CEO Ben Calveley hints Andy Farrell is in pole position to lead 2029 New Zealand Tour
FAZ-TASTIC Lions CEO Ben Calveley hints Andy Farrell is in pole position to lead 2029 New Zealand Tour
IRELAND boss Andy Farrell is in pole position to lead Lions again for the 2029 Tour of New Zealand.
That's according to Lions CEO Ben Calveley, who has all but confirmed that the Ireland boss is the man to take charge of the next expedition to New Zealand.
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British and Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calveley hinted Andy Farrell could once again lead the touring side in New Zealand
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Andy Farrell guided the Lions to a 2-1 series win over Australia
The news comes following a dramatic and successful summer Test series against Joe Schmidt's Australia.
Farrell guided the Lions to a first series win since 2013, clinching the tour 2-1 despite defeat to the Wallabies in the final Test in Sydney.
While Calveley stopped short of officially re-appointing Farrell, he made clear that the English-born Ireland boss is their preferred candidate for the prestigious role in four-year time.
He said: 'Andy's done an incredible job and I've really enjoyed working with him. He's brought a laser focus to the group since December and the results speak for themselves.
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'We'll give him a bit of time off now - but there's no doubt he's in a very strong position for 2029. Let's put it that way.'
The Lions chief went on to admit the interest in the touring side is higher than ever as he says their status is reaching new heights in the rugby world's popularity.
He added: 'You've seen the players' quotes throughout - they remain absolutely committed to the Lions.
'Our calendar spot is secured, and our relationship with the pro game is stronger than ever.'
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Meanwhile, Farrell issued an update on James Ryan after the Ireland lock was stretchered off during the final Test against Australia.
The Ireland lock was stretchered off in the first half of the Lions' 22-12 third Test defeat to Australia after a sickening - accidental - knee to the head.
Australia and Lions rugby stars are forced off the pitch mid-game due to threat of lightning
The Leinster star collided with the knee of Will Skelton while attempting to make a tackle on 42 minutes.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Farrell confirmed some reassuring news for concerned rugby fans as he issued an update on the Leinster lock's condition.
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The Ireland boss said: 'He's up and talking. He was [knocked] out there for a few minutes.
"But he is back and in good spirits. He's going to be fine.'
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RTÉ News
28 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Australia's 'why' prevented Lions series whitewash
The Lions were outplayed in the final Test match of the series in extremely wet and almost unplayable conditions. Australia were impressive and fully deserved their 22-12 victory, but if you think that they were a controversial penalty away from winning the series, then you don't understand sport. As soon as the Lions overturned the Wallabies in dramatic fashion at the dying moments of the second Test, the whole psychology of the tour changed. Yes, the Lions aimed for a series whitewash and would love to have beaten Joe Schmidt's men with a clean sweep, but the difference between 'wanting to' and 'needing to' are very different in a sporting context. On paper, the British and Irish Lions were superior to Australia when it comes to technical and tactical ability. In the majority of positions across the pitch, you'd have chosen the Lions player over his direct opponent. You could argue for a handful of Australian players to make that Lions team. Will Skelton (below), Harry Wilson, Tom Wright, Nick Frost and flashes of Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii were probably the standout performers for the Aussies and not all of those would be a certainty if they were on the other side. It shows that psychology determines the outcome far more than technical or tactical ability. The best team on paper doesn't always win the game. The circumstances surrounding any event will change the dynamics of how the match unfolds. For a start, the Wallabies were talked down for a number of months. The rugby population in Australia was highly insulted by some of the narrative around their nation, and when you consider how the second Test ended for the team, there were highly motivating factors for them to get a final Test win against the Lions. They're going into the biggest contest of their season with the Rugby Championship looming and with the potential embarrassment of a whitewash on the cards they were bound to react. On the other side, the Lions came off the back of winning the series early and by the sounds of it, they celebrated well into Sunday afternoon. No matter who you are, alcohol hinders recovery and makes for a slow start to your week. It can be the difference between a fully prepared team and one that has left a question mark or two within the group. Andy Farrell (above) usually has his teams very well prepared, so I'm sure he would have planned the week precisely, but it's still a factor to consider. The Lions are also at the end of a very long season. It's a privilege to be on the tour and players have spoken so complimentary about how the tour has gone, how well they have bonded and the environment that was built. However, it's still a long season and their holidays were pending. A whitewash in a series is a luxury item. Yes, it would have created history, but it was a nice-to-have and not a must-have. It's very hard to bring a team's focus back if things start to slip slightly. I don't know exactly how they felt, sometimes players think they still want it, but upon reflection they realise that their 'why' wasn't strong enough. Australia had a stronger 'why' on Saturday. Despite the lightning strikes and torrential downpours, they played for their retiring scrum-half Nic White, who put everything on the line for his team-mates. Skelton clearly took something personally because he was involved in every scuffle. The home side not only managed the conditions better but turned up with greater intensity in defence. It wasn't technical, they just turned up for each other and got some vital turnovers. I know the argument will be that these are professionals and they get paid to be on tour, and to care about their careers. I'm sure they cared a lot about the game on Saturday. Yet, the more you get challenged with a confrontational Aussie side and uncontrollable issues like a lightning storm just after half-time, the more that doubt can creep in. 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In better conditions, Pietsch wouldn't be able to gamble on Freeman not getting the pass away and maybe the England flyer would have passed or found an offload. Pietsch read it perfectly, setting up a momentum shift, frustrating the Lions. He was involved in a choke tackle on Aki in midfield alongside Fraeser McReight. It was another momentum stopper which lifted Australia. Ikitau forced a knock on from Aki on the Lions line which gave possession back to Australia, leading to the penalty to go 8-0 up. Another individual battle that Australia won. Ikitau showed up for Australia and maybe his 'why' was trying to make up for Hugo Keenan beating him in a 1-1 at the dying moments of the second Test. Frost came into his own, snaffling a handful of Lions lineouts and winning a breakdown penalty because he was there faster than the tourists. Tadhg Beirne was one of the exceptions to the rule. He has played an enormous amount of minutes this season, finishing nearly every game he has started. 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Irish Times
44 minutes ago
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Owen Doyle: Dan Sheehan should have got a red card and a longer ban for dangerous strike
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Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Colman Noctor: Vital for children to explore movement and skill development without pressure
Most people will know that last week, Irish rugby international Hugo Keenan became a national hero by scoring the winning try to clinch the series for the British and Irish Lions. What many aren't aware of is that as a child, Keenan was unable to secure a spot on the Under-14 C rugby team for Blackrock College. His journey highlights the importance of perseverance, belief, and growth... while also serving as a warning against dismissing young athletes too soon. Children's sport can be one of the most formative parts of growing up. For some, it fosters lifelong confidence and happiness. For others, it becomes a source of stress or exclusion. So it's worth examining where we're getting things right and where we may be falling short. Few things bring parents more joy than observing their children having fun while engaging in physical activity, whether it's on a football pitch, diving into a pool, or performing a gymnastics routine. Parents are pleased when a child enjoys a sport because it offers them more than just physical benefits —it fosters teamwork, character, and social skills. However, as youth culture becomes increasingly performance-driven, the focus on movement and enjoyment often diminishes, and competition and winning can become the focus. In some cases, children can quickly find themselves assessed, ranked, and excluded before they've even had a chance to develop. At this time of year, summer sports camps like the GAA Cúl Camps are notable for their focus on fun and participation, without league tables or pressure to perform. Many children prefer these over the regular season, which often involves competitive stress. A key advantage of these camps is the involvement of teenage or young adult coaches. These 'cool' role models often connect better with kids than parent-coaches; and offer a positive, aspirational presence. This model could be applied beyond sport. 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Jacob Gosnell, Aodhán Gallagher and Aidan Byrne take a break from play at the Kellogg's Cúl Camp at St Micheal's Gaelic Football Club, Mahon, Cork. One hundred and twenty children are attending the five-day gaelic football camp this week. Picture Larry Cummins We need to accept that traditional sports settings don't work for every child. Early streaming into competitive teams creates pressure, often leading children to conclude that sport isn't for them. Worse still, some coaches write them off too soon. Children are sometimes placed on 'elite' tracks based on their perceived potential at the ages of 12 or 13. But there needs to be a realisation that children develop at different rates physically, emotionally, and cognitively. The child who struggles with coordination at seven might shine at 12 — but only if given the opportunity. Development in childhood is far from straightforward. Labelling children as 'not good enough' discourages participation, reduces confidence, and causes early dropout. The pressure to perform often kills the natural joy of movement, and once that's gone, it's difficult to regain. Hugo Keenan's story illustrates this well. Initially ignored in school sports, he developed into a world-class player, and his success serves as a reminder not to judge potential too soon. How many future stars have we missed by making early assumptions? We should view sport as a long-term journey, not just a race to the top. It's about who remains engaged and enjoys it at 18, not who's best at eight. Parents and coaches have a significant influence on children's attitudes towards sport. Our messages carry strong weight. If we focus only on winning and awards, we risk causing anxiety and reducing enjoyment. However, when we emphasise effort, teamwork, and perseverance, we build confidence and cultivate a love for movement and activity. Children should understand that their worth isn't determined by their performance. It's fine to have a poor game, try something new, or enjoy an activity without needing to be 'the best' at it. Ambition is important, but goals should focus on the process rather than the outcome. Instead of asking 'Did you win and did you score?', try saying 'I admire how you didn't give up when things got tough' or simply 'Did you enjoy it?'. As parents, we should avoid trying to achieve our sporting ambitions vicariously through our children. It's natural to worry that our children are falling behind, especially in an era of competitive clubs and early specialisation. However, more isn't always better. Burnout is real. Research indicates that young athletes tend to thrive when they participate in various sports, engage in informal play, and take regular breaks. Findings from a study by German sports scientist Arne Güllich and colleagues in 2023 revealed that while athletes who peak early may accrue more specific training early on, most world-class adult athletes tend to diversify more in youth, specialising later and benefiting from broader skill development and better long-term performance. What's the rush? Children have years to develop skills, strength, and strategy. What they need most now is space to explore movement and skill development without pressure. Significantly, we need to expand our definition of physical activity. Not every child wants to participate in team sports, and that is perfectly fine. Too often, we equate 'active' with 'sporty'. However, movement can also include activities such as dancing, hiking, skateboarding, tree climbing, yoga, and cycling, which are often more inclusive and less intimidating. These non-competitive forms of movement can encourage creativity, confidence, and self-expression and also provide a welcome relief from the comparison and pressure found in organised sport. Children who move with agility and confidence are often those who've played freely in varied environments. Climbing in a playground builds coordination and strength. Balancing on a log develops core stability. Dancing at home fosters rhythm and emotional release. These activities are foundational, not secondary. As parents, we can nurture a positive attitude towards movement in our children. Begin by supporting their interests without projecting your own past ambitions or concerns onto them. Allow children to explore multiple activities and celebrate their progress and effort. Promote curiosity, perseverance, and avoid rushing to judge their abilities too early. Children don't need to be the best, and we shouldn't make them feel like they have to be. They need to feel capable, included, and supported so they can enjoy movement and sport in spaces where they feel that they belong. By enabling children to develop at their own pace, experience movement without fear of judgment, and explore a variety of physical activities, we not only build better athletes but also nurture healthier, more well-rounded individuals. Instead of being the generation known for the need for 'silent sideline' initiatives, let's be the generation that redefined success in youth sport. Let's establish a measure of achievement that isn't based on the number of trophies on the shelf, but on the smiles on the field, the laughter in the dance, and a lifelong love of movement for its own sake. Dr Colman Noctor is a child psychotherapist
