Rugby Australia chief certain British and Lions will return in 2037
Australia celebrates their 22-12 win over the British & Irish Lions during the third Test at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Aug 2.
– Rugby Australia (RA) chief executive Phil Waugh was disappointed the Wallabies lost the Test series against the British and Irish Lions, but believes the tour was a huge success and talk that the tourists might not return in 12 years' time was well wide of the mark.
Some media pundits had suggested after the Lions comfortably won the first Test in Brisbane that Australian rugby was so weak they no longer deserved their place on the touring rotation alongside New Zealand and South Africa.
Waugh thought the competitiveness of the Wallabies in the second Test in Melbourne, where they came within seconds of victory, and the third in Sydney, where they won 22-12, had firmly quashed any speculation about the Lions not returning.
'Australia is a really important home for the Lions tour every 12 years,' he told reporters at the conclusion of the series.
'On the field, I think the accumulative points, they got one point better than us and one try better than us, and it was a really fierce Test battle.
'So I think any of that speculation, it was shut down by a number of people, including their CEO (Ben Calveley), who spoke at various events committing to return to Australia.'
Waugh thought the second Test, which attracted a crowd of 90,307 to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was one of the best internationals he had seen in a while and he had been impressed with the Wallabies throughout the series.
'I think it's been an overwhelmingly successful tour, albeit it would have been nice to win the... trophy, but that wasn't to happen,' he added. 'I think that the progress that's continued through the group, and I think the cultural growth of the group, has been really, really pleasing.'
Around 450,000 fans attended the nine matches, and Waugh said the tour had exceeded expectations on financial returns for both the hosts and the Lions.
Exactly what the returns were was still being calculated, he said, but Australia's proceeds would go to reducing the A$80 million (S$66.6 million) credit facility the RA took out in 2023, which cost more than A$9 million to service in 2024.
'It certainly exceeded expectations,' Waugh said. 'I've always said that it's a really good opportunity for us to reset the balance sheet.
'We've got the debt facility, and ideally we pay that down as quickly as possible, given the cost to carry it... then we'll lean into the next broadcast cycle to get to a financially sustainable model.'
The Wallabies got great returns in the series from Will Skelton, the wrecking ball of a lock who was recalled from his French club La Rochelle to take on the Lions.
Tight-head prop Taniela Tupou, who played a key role in the third Test victory, will also be moving to a French club in 2025, which would once have made him ineligible to play for the Wallabies.
That blanket ban was eased ahead of the 2015 World Cup under the 'Giteau Law', which allowed the Wallabies coach to select three overseas-based players under certain criteria.
RA's high performance director Peter Horne confirmed that all restrictions on Test selection had been scrapped when Joe Schmidt took over as Wallabies coach in 2024.
'Joe's got no impediment to select whoever he wants,' he said. 'That's always been the case. The Giteau Law's kind of redundant.
'But we've also made a choice that we select domestically if the players are of equal calibre, it's important that we invest in our premier competition in Australia.'
However, the Wallabies will not be able to count on Dave Porecki, who has retired from professional rugby only weeks after reviving his Test career.
The New South Wales Waratah hooker, 32, battled injuries in recent seasons, but made his first Australia appearance under Schmidt against Fiji in July after nearly two years out of the Wallabies.
After suffering a concussion against Fiji and missing the first Lions Test in Brisbane, Porecki was recalled for the second clash in Melbourne before being sidelined for the final Test in Sydney due to a cut heel at training.
Capped 21 times for the Wallabies, Porecki said it was the right time to start a new chapter in his life. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
White puts retirement on hold to answer Wallabies SOS call
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn International - Wales v Australia - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - November 20, 2021 Australia's Nic White in action with Wales' Aaron Wainwright Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo MELBOURNE - Scrumhalf Nic White has put his retirement on ice to join Australia's Rugby Championship squad for the tour of South Africa following an injury to regular number nine Jake Gordon. The 35-year-old White announced the third and final British & Irish Lions test in Sydney was to be his last international match but on Thursday he was included in Joe Schmidt's 35-man squad for South Africa. "White (is) putting his hand up to help the group again due to Gordon's injury, just a week after announcing his plans to retire," Rugby Australia said in a press release. Uncapped scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will join 73-test White in the squad for next week's clash against world champions South Africa in Johannesburg and the second test in Cape Town on August 23. Flyhalf Tom Lynagh will miss the tour, though, after being struck high by Lions hooker Dan Sheehan in the Wallabies' 22-12 win in Sydney and subsequently failing a head injury assessment. One-test playmaker Tane Edmed replaces Lynagh in the squad, joining Ben Donaldson and James O'Connor among the flyhalf options. Schmidt has also included the uncapped duo of winger Corey Toole and prop Aidan Ross. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Some ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds Singapore PUB investigating wastewater discharge in Eunos: Pritam Singapore Water gel guns among newer tools NParks uses to manage monkeys in estates World Trump eyes 100% chips tariff, but 0% for US investors like Apple World Trump's 100% semiconductor tariffs may hit chipmakers in Singapore, other SEA nations Business DBS shares hit record-high after Q2 profit beats forecast on strong wealth fees, trading income Business UOB Q2 profit drops 6% to $1.34 billion, missing forecast Singapore SCDF officer who molested female subordinate gets 15 months' jail Hooker Matt Faessler and stalwart prop Allan Alaalatoa were ruled out with injury but Taniela Tupou retains his place after his recall for the last Lions test. Schmidt also included the Queensland trio of centre Josh Flook, hooker Josh Nasser and lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto among the new faces. Western Force hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa was retained after his late call-up for the Sydney test. Hooker Dave Porecki, who missed Sydney with a cut heel, announced his retirement from professional rugby this week. Squad: Forwards - Angus Bell, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Billy Pollard, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, James Slipper, Jeremy Williams, Josh Nasser, Langi Gleeson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Taniela Tupou, Tom Hooper, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, Zane Nonggorr, Aidan Ross Backs - Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed, Josh Flook, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Ryan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright REUTERS
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
White puts retirement on hold to answer Wallabies SOS call
MELBOURNE :Scrumhalf Nic White has put his retirement on ice to join Australia's Rugby Championship squad for the tour of South Africa following an injury to regular number nine Jake Gordon. The 35-year-old White announced the third and final British & Irish Lions test in Sydney was to be his last international match but on Thursday he was included in Joe Schmidt's 35-man squad for South Africa. "White (is) putting his hand up to help the group again due to Gordon's injury, just a week after announcing his plans to retire," Rugby Australia said in a press release. Uncapped scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan will join 73-test White in the squad for next week's clash against world champions South Africa in Johannesburg and the second test in Cape Town on August 23. Flyhalf Tom Lynagh will miss the tour, though, after being struck high by Lions hooker Dan Sheehan in the Wallabies' 22-12 win in Sydney and subsequently failing a head injury assessment. One-test playmaker Tane Edmed replaces Lynagh in the squad, joining Ben Donaldson and James O'Connor among the flyhalf options. Schmidt has also included the uncapped duo of winger Corey Toole and prop Aidan Ross. Hooker Matt Faessler and stalwart prop Allan Alaalatoa were ruled out with injury but Taniela Tupou retains his place after his recall for the last Lions test. Schmidt also included the Queensland trio of centre Josh Flook, hooker Josh Nasser and lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto among the new faces. Western Force hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa was retained after his late call-up for the Sydney test. Hooker Dave Porecki, who missed Sydney with a cut heel, announced his retirement from professional rugby this week. Forwards - Angus Bell, Nick Champion De Crespigny, Billy Pollard, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Carlo Tizzano, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, James Slipper, Jeremy Williams, Josh Nasser, Langi Gleeson, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nick Frost, Rob Valetini, Taniela Tupou, Tom Hooper, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, Zane Nonggorr, Aidan Ross
Vogue Singapore
2 hours ago
- Vogue Singapore
The farmhouse where Cartier crafts its most exquisite watches
'Craftsmanship,' I am told time and again, 'is at the service of creation.' I am in Switzerland, standing in a rustic, brown wood farmhouse. After several days in Geneva at the Watches and Wonders fair, and being inundated by the latest in horology, Cartier has offered a change of pace. A drive up north and east to visit its Maison des Métiers d'Art in La Chaux-de-Fonds, a city in the Jura Mountains in the Neuchâtel canton. This Maison des Métiers d'Art was opened by the French jewellery and watchmaking brand in 2014, dedicated to the vanishingly rare artistic handcrafts that go into some of its most beautiful and experimental designs. Rather than stretches of factory floors that thrum with machinery, there are artisan workbenches marked by quiet, calm concentration. The 18th-century farmhouse that Cartier renovated to create its have of craft. Courtesy of Cartier Courtesy of Cartier The renovation of the Maison des Métiers d'Art retained the farmhouse's rustic wood architecture, with modern additions to facilitate its present purpose. Courtesy of Cartier Courtesy of Cartier The building we are in is an 18th-century farmhouse, built in the Bernese style with large, steeply sloped roofs. It's a bit of an anachronism in La Chaux-de-Fonds, which is about 70-odd kilometres west of Bern. This old architectural style is underpinned by wood structures, the fruit of logging industries— characteristics that Cartier has maintained even as it renovated the space to create its haven of craft. Inside and out, it represents a fusion of tradition and modernity that underlines the maison's approach to time-honoured crafts. This year's métiers d'art interpretation of the Panthère de Cartier, with hand-applied lacquer and gemstones to create an abstract, animalic coat. Courtesy of Cartier Applying black lacquer to each link of the Panthère de Cartier watch's bracelet. Courtesy of Cartier Polishing the lacquered and gem-set bracelet. Courtesy of Cartier Cartier's Maison des Métiers d'Art works on and produces its artistic craft timepieces, but in so doing also carries out a three-pronged mission. Preserving these practices and skills, innovating and furthering the craft, and transmitting it for present and future generations. The rationale is simple: if one wishes to continue pursuing beauty, one must act to ensure the perpetuity of its know-how. Etruscan granulation is a rare craft method of working with fine beads of gold. Courtesy of Cartier Courtesy of Cartier I see, in the workrooms, the highly specialised tools and materials of the trade. They are divided into three categories: the arts of metal, fire and composition. Benches with gold beads destined for an antique Etruscan granulation technique. Walls of finely powdered glass, which look like those in deliciously ancient speciality craft stores, that will be used for enamelling—cloisonné, champlevé, grisaille, gold paste and plique-à-jour. A wooden crossbow saw, custom-made as it was in the 16th century, powered by a foot pedal and used to cut tiny pieces of wood, straw or rose petals for marquetry dials. The squishy, feel-it-to-believe-it Coussin de Cartier watch case. Courtesy of Cartier And it's not just about tradition. The Maison des Métiers d'Art is also the site of experimentation and innovation. Modern technologies like 3D printing helped the development of the house's remarkable Coussin watch and jewellery designs from 2024, in which diamonds are set on a springy, squishy mesh frame. It yields to soft squeezes and returns to its original shape. Cartier has many 'cushion' designs in its history, but only so recently a tactility that's true to the name. Serti vibrant diamonds on a watch dial. Minuscule, precise springs cause the diamonds to tremble at the slightest movement. Courtesy of Cartier The search for the new is not restrained, either, by the four walls of this house of craft. In 2015, it introduced the Ballon Bleu de Cartier Serti Vibrant which features over 100 diamonds on the dial that vibrate and quiver at the slightest movement. The source of the idea is the 19th-century jewellery en tremblant technique, where gemstones are set on springs to introduce movement. I am told that Cartier developed its own improvements to the tremblant technique with the help of technology from the pharmaceutical industry, and its modern setting method is now patented. Courtesy of Cartier The fruits of the Maison des Métiers d'Art's work are beautiful to behold, sure, but what really strikes me as I wander through this farmhouse is the human element. Craftsmanship at a level like this can be improved with technology, but it relies entirely on human involvement—eyes and hands that practise, perfect and perpetuate such exquisite work. The most touching thing that catches my eye is a workbench with a placard on it congratulating a craftswoman on the birth of her child. It has dates on it, reserving her space for when she returns from maternity leave. It's a tiny detail in the scheme of things, but a little poignancy that puts a warmth, and a human value, on the objects of beauty that are crafted in this house. Vogue Singapore's July/August 2025 'Home' issue is available on newsstands and online.
