Former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster is set to lead an ANZAC XV against the British and Irish Lions as the countdown to the highly anticipated tour reaches the 100-day milestone this Thursday.
Foster has committed to joining the staff for the squad officially named the ‘AUNZ Invitational XV’, though it is not yet clear if he will take on the role of head coach for what is being promoted as the tour’s ‘fourth Test.’
This match will see Australia and New Zealand unite on the rugby pitch for the first time in three decades, facing off against the Lions at Adelaide Oval on July 12.
Ian Foster interacting with Joe Schmidt at Twickenham. Getty
While leading players from both the Wallabies and All Blacks will be unavailable, there are hopes that stars based in Japan, such as Michael Hooper, Quade Cooper, Aaron Smith, and Richie Mo’unga, may be enticed to take part.
Foster’s involvement underscores the significance Rugby Australia places on this match-up.
He, along with Joe Schmidt, previously guided the All Blacks to the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Currently, Foster is co-coaching Hooper and Smith at Toyota Verblitz in Japan, alongside Steve Hansen.
The Lions will also face a historic clash against a First Nations and Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on July 22.
In addition, the Lions are scheduled to play all four teams in Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific.
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Rugby Australia aims to generate over $100 million from this rare tour happening once every twelve years, and they are on track to sell more than 500,000 tickets across the nine-match schedule.
The Lions will be coached by Andy Farrell, the former rugby league international now leading the Irish team.
The 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia
Western Force vs British & Irish Lions at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday, 28 June at Optus Stadium, Perth
Queensland Reds vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday, 2 July at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
New South Wales Waratahs vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday, 5 July at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
ACT Brumbies vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday, 9 July at GIO Stadium, Canberra
AUNZ Invitational XV vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday, 12 July at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Wallabies vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday, 19 July at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
First Nations & Pasifika XV vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Tuesday, 22 July at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Wallabies vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday, 26 July at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies vs British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday, 2 August at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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