Lions in dispute with Australia over ‘golden point' as players to have names on back of jersey for first time
Phil Waugh, the Rugby Australia chief executive, suggested at meetings in London last month that 'golden point' extra time – which means the first team to score wins – should be played in such circumstances. However, the Lions have blocked it, heightening tensions and opening up the potential for another drawn series.
In 2017, with the series locked at 1-1, the third Test in Auckland ended 15-15, which culminated in one of the most iconic photographs in the history of the Lions, with players from both sides mixing together for a joint squad shot.
Cameras are to be placed in the changing rooms of the Lions to show live footage for the first time during the tour of Australia, it is understood.
In another first, the Lions are also to feature names on the back of their shirt, beginning with their first pre-tour match against Argentina in Dublin on Friday.
The moves are part of a drive to grow interest in the tourists and increase fan engagement.
England were the first side to break the mould at Test level when they put the names of players on the back of shirts for the four-game Autumn Nations Series in 2022.
It is understood that the names will also feature on the shirts of the replacements, and supporters will be able to purchase replica jerseys with surnames of players such as 'Smith 10' or 'Itoje 4'.
The move to open up the inner sanctum of the Lions changing room will be an important innovation of the Sky Sports coverage. It is understood that cameras will flick on 15 minutes before kick-off, without audio, to enable viewers to see players returning from their pre-match warm-up.
It is intended to provide an insight into the final moments of the Lions' preparations, including Lions captain Maro Itoje delivering his final speech.
At half-time, the cameras are to be turned on again to show Lions head coach Andy Farrell and his coaching team address the players, while more footage will be shown after the game.
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For the Lions' games in Australia, if the stadiums include warm-up areas, cameras will be installed to show footage of the players warming up before the match.
The Lions also have their own production team in camp to produce a post-tour documentary.
Meanwhile, the Lions have rejected the appeal by Australia for the series to be decided by a 'golden point' should the series finishes in a draw, as it did against New Zealand in 2017.
Phil Waugh, the Rugby Australia chief executive, had revealed he suggested at meetings in London last month that 'golden point' extra time − in which the first team to score wins − should be played in such circumstances.
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