Sport
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matches against New Zealand.
up a match against the United
States in America to open the
tour, much like the Barbarians
match in Hong Kong in 2013.
However, on 6 July 2015, it was
announced the idea had been
scrapped due to some American
players unable to be released by
their clubs to make the match
competitive enough. Also, a
match versus the Pacific
Islanders was proposed in 2014.
The opening match of the tour
was originally planned to be against a Provincial Union XV,
however in March 2016, this was changed to the New Zealand
Barbarians following their win over the Māori All Blacks.
The British and Irish Lions are a composite team selected from
players who are eligible to represent the national teams of
England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales. The Lions first toured
New Zealand in 1888, but did not play against the New Zealand
national team until 1904. Since then they have only won one
test series against the All Blacks – in 1971.
The side only tours every four years and last played in New
Zealand in 2005 when they lost the test series 3–0. Wales' head
coach and 2013 test series winning coach Warren Gatland
retained his role as head coach. Former Wales captain Sam
Warburton was appointed as tour captain, a role he had in the
2013 Lions tour of Australia.
The ten-match schedule was
announced on 9 July 2015, and
includes matches against New
Zealand Super Rugby franchises for
the first time. Previously in New
Zealand, the Lions had played
provincial sides or combined
provincial selections. However this is
the first tour to New Zealand where
the visit has fallen in the middle of
the Super Rugby season.
Initially, the Lions were looking to set
In New Zealand, there was criticism
that there were too many matches in
the North Island with only two
matches being played in the South
Island. Christchurch was initially
planned to host a test match, but due
to the 2011 Christchurch earthquake
which damaged Lancaster Park
beyond repair, it was deemed that the
remaining stadiums in the South
Island were too small to host a test
match.
Dunedin Stadium
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