Lions chief demands Wallabies released for Super Rugby teams ahead of Test series
The British and Irish Lions have arrived in Australia and their chief executive Ben Calveley has already made it clear that he expects Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt to make his squad available for their Super Rugby teams ahead of the Test series.
Speaking to media in Perth ahead of the Lions' first game in Australia against the Force on Saturday evening, Calveley stated the Wallabies were obliged to release their Test stars as part of a contractual agreement.
'The agreement is very clear: it says that Test players have to be released to play in fixtures leading into that series,' Calveley said.
'That is our expectation, it's really important that these games are competitive. It's not just for a performance standpoint – the players do want to test themselves and build towards the Test series – but it's also right for the fans, partners and broadcasters who are all expecting competitive fixtures, and for the rugby-loving public. That would be their expectation as well.'
The Force side on Saturday is likely to feature Wallabies Nic White, Darcy Swain and uncapped squad member Nick Champion de Crespigny.
Schmidt has retained breakaway Carlo Tizzano and five-eighth Ben Donaldson in camp in Sydney ahead of the Test series.
Calveley made it clear that he would be in regular touch with his counterpart at Rugby Australia Phil Waugh regarding the strength of opposition for each game, although it is unclear how enforceable this agreement is and does it pertain to specific players given Waratahs stars Angus Bell, Max Jorgensen and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii are all highly unlikely to appear before the Test series.
'We'll play the game at the weekend and will carry on having discussions with Phil Waugh and take it step by step,' Calveley said.
'It's really important that these games are competitive. It's not just from a performance standpoint, but it's also right for the fans, partners and broadcasters who are all expecting competitive fixtures.'
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