Lions execs confident R360 rebel league will NOT threaten future tours as CEO talks risks of losing stars to breakaway group
Proposals for the new R360 competition could clash with the Lions' place in the sporting calendar and potentially strip them of star talent.
But CEO Ben Calveley insisted he has no concerns and discussions are already underway for the tour of New Zealand in 2029.
'We haven't had any formal discussions at all with R360 so I can't comment in any detail on their proposition and their proposal,' said Calveley.
'What I can say and you have seen these quotes come from players at every stage throughout the tour is that they remain absolutely committed to the Lions.
'We all know that we have our place in the calendar baked into [World Rugby's] regulation 9 and I wouldn't see that changing in the future.
'It's up to them who they want to make contact with. I don't really want to comment on how they manage their own business. For me, what is encouraging is that our players remain committed to the Lions.
'I think we have seen on this tour just what it means, not just to them but to the fans and the whole of the game. We are very confident that our position in the future is secure.'
Calveley added that the Lions have every intention of returning to Australia in 12 years' time, although he is keen for other nations such as Fiji to be involved in the warm-up matches.
'You are not going to do anything with the Tests,' he added. Leave the Tests alone. We are really keen in doing more in the pre-tour element. You might bring different countries into that space.
'And then you could do the same with the tour matches. Would we be interested in bringing in, for example, a Fiji or a Japan? And you can think of other countries as well. Yes we would. That is a conversation we will have with New Zealand rugby to see if that is possible.
'I would absolutely envisage returning to Australia. Just to be very clear, I know there's been loads of speculation about whether that would be the case or not, but we've had a wonderful tour here, and it is a hundred per cent our ambition to return, and we would want the next one to be bigger and better than this one. Who knows what the calendar looks like in the future.
'If nothing changes in terms of calendar configurations and so forth, then [2037] would be the expectation, yes.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Major Australian transport company goes bust - with millions owed to workers
Two hundred jobs are set to be axed as a major trucking company that had been in business for more than three-decades has plunged into liquidation with more than $40 million in estimated debts. Transport and logistic company XL Express had operated along the east coast, delivering freight and packages between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane The closure has sent shockwaves across a number of industries that the company did business with as concerns grow over shipping orders going unfulfilled. XL Express owes up to $41.9 million, with $5.3 million due to 200 ex-staff and $3.4 million to the tax office, administrators reveal. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, an insider in the publishing industry said it would impact their business. 'This is a disaster. We have outstanding customer orders, and now they're stuck in limbo.' they said. XL's demise follows just weeks after the collapse of another truck company Don Watson Transport. After running for more than 77 years, that company ceased operating in June. The trucking industry has been under pressure in recent years as global tensions cause an increase in fuel prices, which is combining with labour shortages and increased government regulation. Scott's Refrigerated Logistics also collapsed in 2023, as did by Austrans Container Services in 2024. Managing Partner of WA Insolvency Solutions, Jimmy Trpcevski, said he's seen an increase in insolvency appointments and inquiries from transport operators. 'Businesses are being squeezed from every direction, whether that's rising costs, labour shortages, or compliance pressures. Margins are incredibly thin.' Don Watson Transport covered an estimated 22million kilometres per year and operated depots in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Wodonga. It also held coldstore facilities in Sydney, Melbourne, and Wodonga. The group's 140 trucks and 170 refrigerated trucks will be sold off, according to Beef Central. Managing director Lyndon Watson confirmed the closure to staff in a memo. 'Due to current economic conditions, the Don Watson Group of companies has made a definite decision to leave the warehousing and road transport industries,' the memo read. 'We understand that this may come as a shock but we have formed the view that is simply no longer possible to continue to operate. 'To be clear, all employees will be impacted by this decision. 'All employees (that are made redundant) will receive all of their entitlements in full in accordance with the terms of relevant legislation and enterprise agreements.' Financial year 2024-2025 was the worst on record for insolvencies, with 14,105 businesses going under, up 26.8 per cent from the last financial year.
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Rugby in US suffers another blow as second team in a week exits MLR
Major League Rugby was reduced to eight teams on Wednesday by the withdrawal of the Miami Sharks, just a week after a founding team quit the competition and two California teams merged. Miami and MLR did not immediately comment but multiple league sources confirmed that the Sharks' withdrawal after two years in the league was finalized on Tuesday. The Guardian understands that a request to withdraw for 2026 before a potential return in 2027 was rejected by team owners – NOLA Gold, the team that announced its exit last week, having sought a similar arrangement. NOLA and Miami could reapply to play in 2027, the Guardian was told. Last week, after NOLA's exit and the merger of San Diego Legion and RFC LA, it was widely reported that the league could yet fall to just seven teams, the number that kicked off the competition in 2018. Utah Warriors, like NOLA and San Diego founding MLR members, are seeking new investment – a process CEO Kimball Kjar last week told the Guardian was 'a heavy lift' but going well. Kjar expressed confidence in Utah continuing to play. MLR commissioner Nic Benson said he thought the league could continue if reduced to just seven teams. News of Miami's exit will concern executives at World Rugby, which has placed the men's World Cup in the US in 2031, followed by the women's event in 2033. Last month, speaking to reporters in Washington DC, World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said the governing body 'believed … there needs to be a domestic professional league in the US that's growing and thriving [and] we want MLR to be that'. Gilpin also indicated an openness to talks with international interests seeking to plant teams on US soil, including Super Rugby, the United Rugby Championship and the mooted R360 breakaway project. On Wednesday, the Guardian sought comment from Benson, Miami CEO Milagros Cubelli, and players' representatives. Miami entered MLR in 2024 and reached the playoffs for the first time this year, losing the Eastern Conference Semi-Final to New England Free Jacks, who went on to win their third successive title. There was an immediate irony in news of Miami's MLR exit. Just two days earlier, Cubelli — the sister of Miami and Argentina scrum-half Tomas Cubelli — was named MLR Major League Rugby Executive of the Year. In comments released by the league on Monday, Cubelli said: 'We are a new team at a starting level, so you have to be smart in how you use your resources. 'I have a strong background in entertainment and production, so I think I brought this experience to the Sharks to have a good gameday experience and an interesting, attractive brand. I'm proud and very happy. And I love to win.' Cubelli also said sponsorship was 'one of the big successes of 2025', as the Sharks 'grew sponsorship revenue to almost 20%' 'There's a professional rugby team in Miami that is doing things well, that is eager to share the fun of this sport with the people in the community,' she added. 'The doors are wide open.' On Wednesday afternoon, the Miami website still advertised 'Season 2026' as 'Coming Soon'. 'Come enjoy the Sharks experience,' it said. Martin Pengelly writes on Substack at The National Maul, on rugby in the US.
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Australia news live: Gareth Ward in legal bid to avoid expulsion from NSW parliament; Acoss says it's time to roll back property tax breaks for investors
Update: Date: 2025-08-06T21:59:17.000Z Title: Chalmers says he will err on the side of workers when it comes to AI Content: Treasurer Jim Chalmers appeared on 7:30 Report last night, where he was talking about how AI will be a key topic at the government's productivity roundtable in a few weeks. He was asked if he would support the Australian Council of Trade Unions' call for workers to be able to veto AI in their workplace. He said he would err on the side of workers: We need to be realistic about it. And certainly, I agree that workers need to be part of the conversation when it comes to rolling out a technology that has this gamechanging potential. And where there's very real potential risks in the labour market. I would always err on the side of workers having a say in how their work is done. Update: Date: 2025-08-06T21:54:54.000Z Title: Good morning Content: and welcome to our live news blog. I'm Nick Visser, I'll be bringing you updates as the day gets rolling. Let's start with this: The Australian Council of Social Services (Acoss) is calling for the government to roll back tax breaks for property investors before the treasurer's productivity roundtable. Acoss is calling for the 50% capital gains tax discount to be halved 'so there'd be some tax reward for property investment but nowhere near as generous', the group's chief told the ABC. Also today, a court is expected to hear jailed MP Gareth Ward's bid to prevent the NSW parliament from expelling him. We'll bring you all the developments. Stick with us.
