2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia

The 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia was a rugby union tour during June and July 2013. The Lions played ten matches - a three-test series against Australia, and matches against the five Australian Super Rugby sides, a Combined New South Wales–Queensland Country team, and a match en route to Australia against the Barbarians.

2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia
The logo of the 2013 Lions tour
Date1 June – 6 July
Coach(es)Warren Gatland
Tour captain(s)Sam Warburton
Test series winnersBritish and Irish Lions (2–1)
Top test point scorer(s)Leigh Halfpenny (49)
Top point scorer(s)Leigh Halfpenny (114)
Top test try scorer(s)George North (2)
Top try scorer(s)Alex Cuthbert (4)
George North (4)

The Lions won the test series 2–1. The first test was won by the Lions 23–21, the second by Australia 16–15, and the final test by the Lions 41–16. The victory was the Lions' first test series win since defeating South Africa in 1997. Aside from the second test, the Lions' only loss was 14–12 to the Brumbies in Canberra.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland was the Lions' head coach, and their tour captain was Sam Warburton.

Schedule

Ahead of the tour of Australia, the Lions played the Barbarians in Hong Kong on 1 June to mark the 125th anniversary of the first Lions tour. They then played the five Australian Super Rugby teams, a Combined Country team and three tests in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Notes: Bold denotes the winner of each match.

Date Home team Score Away team Venue
1 June British and Irish Lions 59–8 Barbarians Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong Match details
5 June Western Force 17–69 British and Irish Lions Patersons Stadium, Perth Match details
8 June Queensland Reds 12–22 British and Irish Lions Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Match details
11 June Combined Country 0–64 British and Irish Lions Hunter Stadium, Newcastle Match details
15 June New South Wales Waratahs 17–47 British and Irish Lions Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Match details
18 June Brumbies 14–12 British and Irish Lions Canberra Stadium, Canberra Match details
22 June Australia 21–23 British and Irish Lions Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Match details
25 June Melbourne Rebels 0–35 British and Irish Lions AAMI Park, Melbourne Match details
29 June Australia 16–15 British and Irish Lions Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Match details
6 July Australia 16–41 British and Irish Lions ANZ Stadium, Sydney Match details

Test series

The Lions won the best-of-three test series 2–1, after a convincing victory in the deciding third test followed narrow victories for both teams in the preceding two matches. The teams competed for the Tom Richards Cup, which was first presented in 2001, the last time the Lions toured the country.[1] Australia won the 2001 test series 2–1. Before the start of the 2013 series, the Lions had won 15 of their 20 tests against Australia dating back to 1899.

First test

The Lions won the first test 23–21. Australia's Christian Lealiifano, making his debut, had to be replaced after just 52 seconds when he was knocked out attempting to tackle Jonathan Davies. Australia recovered from that setback to score the opening try, Israel Folau scoring on his debut with a sprint to the line after a chip through by scrum-half Will Genia. George North then added to a Leigh Halfpenny penalty with a try of his own, evading Pat McCabe and James O'Connor on his way to the line. He might have had a second a few minutes later, but the television match official deemed him to have been in touch before grounding the ball, meaning that the Lions had to settle for another penalty. Instead it was Folau who picked up a second try, beating Jonathan Sexton and Halfpenny to cut the Lions' lead to a single point at half-time.[2]

After two more Australian backs – Berrick Barnes and McCabe – suffered injuries, Michael Hooper had to move into the centres, and Liam Gill took his place in the back row. The Lions took advantage of Hooper's unfamiliar position and Alex Cuthbert scored under the posts. An exchange of penalties left Australia within two points of the Lions going into the last five minutes. Kurtley Beale had two late penalty opportunities for Australia, but missed twice, slipping as he made his second attempt with the last kick of the game.

Second test

Australia won a close game. Leigh Halfpenny's penalty kicking gave the Lions the lead, but the Wallabies scored the only try of the game through Adam Ashley-Cooper in the 74th minute, eventually winning 16–15. In the last minute of the game, a Leigh Halfpenny penalty kick that would have won the game for the Lions dropped short of the posts, meaning that the series would be decided by the final test.

Third test

The Lions made six changes to their starting team. Tour captain Sam Warburton and 2009 captain Paul O'Connell were both injured. Pre-game controversy focused on the decision of the Lions coaches to drop experienced centre Brian O'Driscoll, who had been widely expected to take over the captaincy,[3][4] in favour of the Welsh combination of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies. The Lions' starting team included 10 Welshmen in all. Australia were unchanged except for the selection of George Smith, returning from international retirement, at openside flanker.[5]

Australia gave away possession at the kick-off, and Alex Corbisiero scored an early try for the Lions. The Lions extended this lead through four penalties from Leigh Halfpenny. The Wallabies conceded several penalties, as well as a sin-binning, at the scrum, although in the period either side of half-time, they recovered to trail only 19–16.[6] The Lions, however, scored three further tries to win 41–16, thus recording the most points by a Lions side in a test match.[7][8]

Squads

Lions

Tour manager Andy Irvine announced an initial squad of 37 on 30 April 2013,[9] made up of 15 players from Wales, 10 from England, nine from Ireland and three from Scotland.[10]

Wales' Sam Warburton was named captain; at the age of 24, he was the youngest man to lead the Lions. Warburton was captain of Wales during their Six Nations Grand Slam in 2012, and during the 2011 World Cup, where they finished fourth. Previous Lions captains Paul O'Connell (from 2009) and Brian O'Driscoll (2005) were also chosen.

Dylan Hartley was initially selected but was removed from the squad before the squad departed, after being suspended for 11 weeks for abusing a referee.[11] Rory Best replaced Hartley later that day,[12] meaning that the squad that set off to Hong Kong on 27 May consisted of 15 Welsh, 10 Irish, nine English and three Scottish players.

Alex Corbisiero was called up to the squad to replace Cian Healy, who suffered ankle ligament damage in the match against the Western Force,[13] while Ryan Grant was called up to replace the injured Gethin Jenkins.[14] Tommy Bowe broke his hand against the Queensland Reds,[15] and Simon Zebo was brought into the squad.[16] England's Brad Barritt, Christian Wade and Billy Twelvetrees were called in to provide further cover for the backs.[17][18][19]

Gatland made a surprise selection on 16 June, calling up former Wales wing Shane Williams for the game against the Brumbies. Williams, playing club rugby in Japan, was already due to travel to Australia as a radio commentator, and was brought into the squad for only three days.[20]

Ireland prop Tom Court was called up on 23 June before the final mid-week fixture against Melbourne Rebels, allowing Mako Vunipola to miss that match. Alex Corbisiero had injured his calf in the first test, so the Lions faced a shortage of props. Court was already in Australia visiting his home town of Brisbane.[21]

O'Connell and Warburton were injured in the first and second tests respectively, ruling them out of playing in any more games in the tour.

Notes: Ages listed are as of the first tour match on 1 June. Bold denotes that the player was selected for a previous Lions squad.

Player Position Date of birth (age) National team Club/province Notes
Rory BestHooker (1982-08-15)15 August 1982 (aged 30) IrelandUlsterReplaced Dylan Hartley
Dylan HartleyHooker (1986-03-24)24 March 1986 (aged 27) EnglandNorthampton SaintsOriginally selected, suspended before tour
Richard HibbardHooker (1983-12-13)13 December 1983 (aged 29) WalesOspreys
Tom YoungsHooker (1987-01-28)28 January 1987 (aged 26) EnglandLeicester Tigers
Dan ColeProp (1987-05-09)9 May 1987 (aged 26) EnglandLeicester Tigers
Alex CorbisieroProp (1988-08-30)30 August 1988 (aged 24) EnglandLondon IrishReplaced Cian Healy
Tom CourtProp (1980-11-06)6 November 1980 (aged 32) IrelandUlsterCalled up to cover props
Ryan GrantProp (1985-10-08)8 October 1985 (aged 27) ScotlandGlasgow WarriorsReplaced Gethin Jenkins
Cian HealyProp (1987-10-07)7 October 1987 (aged 25) IrelandLeinsterWithdrew due to ankle injury
Gethin JenkinsProp (1980-11-17)17 November 1980 (aged 32) WalesToulonWithdrew due to calf injury
Adam JonesProp (1981-03-08)8 March 1981 (aged 32) WalesOspreys
Matt StevensProp (1982-10-01)1 October 1982 (aged 30) EnglandSaracens
Mako VunipolaProp (1991-01-13)13 January 1991 (aged 22) EnglandSaracens
Ian EvansLock (1984-10-04)4 October 1984 (aged 28) WalesOspreys
Richie GrayLock (1989-08-24)24 August 1989 (aged 23) ScotlandUnattached[22][23]
Alun Wyn JonesLock (1985-09-19)19 September 1985 (aged 27) WalesOspreys
Paul O'ConnellLock (1979-10-20)20 October 1979 (aged 33) IrelandMunster
Geoff ParlingLock (1983-10-28)28 October 1983 (aged 29) EnglandLeicester Tigers
Tom CroftFlanker (1985-11-07)7 November 1985 (aged 27) EnglandLeicester Tigers
Dan LydiateFlanker (1987-12-18)18 December 1987 (aged 25) WalesNewport Gwent Dragons
Seán O'BrienFlanker (1987-02-14)14 February 1987 (aged 26) IrelandLeinster
Justin TipuricFlanker (1989-08-06)6 August 1989 (aged 23) WalesOspreys
Sam Warburton (c)Flanker (1988-10-05)5 October 1988 (aged 24) WalesCardiff Blues
Taulupe FaletauNo. 8 (1990-11-12)12 November 1990 (aged 22) WalesNewport Gwent Dragons
Jamie HeaslipNo. 8 (1983-12-15)15 December 1983 (aged 29) IrelandLeinster
Conor MurrayScrum-half (1989-04-20)20 April 1989 (aged 24) IrelandMunster
Mike PhillipsScrum-half (1982-08-29)29 August 1982 (aged 30) WalesBayonne
Ben YoungsScrum-half (1989-09-05)5 September 1989 (aged 23) EnglandLeicester Tigers
Owen FarrellFly-half (1991-09-24)24 September 1991 (aged 21) EnglandSaracens
Jonathan SextonFly-half (1985-07-11)11 July 1985 (aged 27) IrelandLeinster
Brad BarrittCentre (1986-08-07)7 August 1986 (aged 26) EnglandSaracensCalled up as backline cover
Jonathan DaviesCentre (1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 25) WalesScarlets
Brian O'DriscollCentre (1979-01-21)21 January 1979 (aged 34) IrelandLeinster
Jamie RobertsCentre (1986-11-08)8 November 1986 (aged 26) WalesCardiff Blues
Manu TuilagiCentre (1991-05-18)18 May 1991 (aged 22) EnglandLeicester Tigers
Billy TwelvetreesCentre (1988-03-26)26 March 1988 (aged 25) EnglandGloucesterCalled up as backline cover
Tommy BoweWing (1984-02-22)22 February 1984 (aged 29) IrelandUlster
Alex CuthbertWing (1990-04-05)5 April 1990 (aged 23) WalesCardiff Blues
Christian WadeWing (1991-05-15)15 May 1991 (aged 22) EnglandLondon WaspsCalled up as backline cover
Sean MaitlandWing (1988-09-14)14 September 1988 (aged 24) ScotlandGlasgow Warriors
George NorthWing (1992-04-13)13 April 1992 (aged 21) WalesScarlets
Shane WilliamsWing (1977-02-26)26 February 1977 (aged 36) WalesMitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoarsCalled up for Brumbies match
Simon ZeboWing (1990-03-16)16 March 1990 (aged 23) IrelandMunsterCalled up to cover Tommy Bowe
Leigh HalfpennyFull-back (1988-12-22)22 December 1988 (aged 24) WalesCardiff Blues
Stuart HoggFull-back (1992-06-24)24 June 1992 (aged 20) ScotlandGlasgow Warriors
Rob KearneyFull-back (1986-03-26)26 March 1986 (aged 27) IrelandLeinster

Management and staff

Andy Irvine is the Lions' tour manager, having succeeded Gerald Davies, who became Lions chairman.[24]

Although Irvine originally stated that it was unlikely that a current coach of one of the Home unions would be appointed to coach the Lions,[25] New Zealander Warren Gatland was offered the role in March 2012 with the Welsh Rugby Union's support, before being confirmed in September 2012.[26][27][28][29] Gatland promised impartial selection and said he believed that Graham Henry in 2001 picked too many Welsh players who were not good enough to go on the tour. Gatland signed a 10-month contract with the Lions, taking a sabbatical from coaching Wales, although he would coach his Welsh team against Australia and New Zealand in autumn 2012.[30]

Role Name
Management
CEO John Feehan
Chairman Gerald Davies
Tour Manager Andy Irvine
Coaching and conditioning
Head Coach Warren Gatland
Assistant Coach (Attack) Rob Howley
Assistant Coach (Forwards) Graham Rowntree
Assistant Coach (Defence) Andy Farrell
Assistant Coach (Kicking) Neil Jenkins
Head of Strength & Conditioning Adam Beard
Fitness Coach Paul Stridgeon
Sports Scientist Brian Cunniffe
Head of Performance Analysis Rhys Long
Video Analyst Rhodri Bown
Video Analyst Michael Hughes
Medical
Head doctor James Robson
Masseur Richard Wegrzyk
Physiotherapist Bob Stewart
Physiotherapist Prav Mathema
Physiotherapist Phil Pask
Doctor Eanna Falvey

Australia

Australia head coach Robbie Deans selected a 31-man squad for the test series against the Lions, to be captained by James Horwill.[31][32]

Luke Morahan was added to the squad following an injury Joe Tomane sustained in training.[33]

Following the first test, George Smith, Jesse Mogg and Ben Tapuai were called up to the squad.[34]

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Saia Fainga'a Hooker (1987-02-02)2 February 1987 (aged 26) 18 Queensland Reds
Stephen Moore Hooker (1983-01-20)20 January 1983 (aged 30) 76 Brumbies
Ben Alexander Prop (1984-11-13)13 November 1984 (aged 28) 48 Brumbies
Sekope Kepu Prop (1986-02-05)5 February 1986 (aged 27) 23 NSW Waratahs
Benn Robinson Prop (1984-07-19)19 July 1984 (aged 28) 56 NSW Waratahs
Scott Sio Prop (1991-10-16)16 October 1991 (aged 21) 0 Brumbies
James Slipper Prop (1989-06-06)6 June 1989 (aged 24) 34 Queensland Reds
Kane Douglas Lock (1989-06-01)1 June 1989 (aged 24) 6 NSW Waratahs
James Horwill (c) Lock (1985-05-29)29 May 1985 (aged 28) 35 Queensland Reds
Hugh McMeniman Lock (1983-11-01)1 November 1983 (aged 29) 21 Western Force
Rob Simmons Lock (1989-04-19)19 April 1989 (aged 24) 23 Queensland Reds
Dave Dennis Flanker (1986-01-10)10 January 1986 (aged 27) 15 NSW Waratahs
Liam Gill Flanker (1992-06-08)8 June 1992 (aged 21) 8 Queensland Reds
Michael Hooper Flanker (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 21) 13 NSW Waratahs
Peter Kimlin Flanker (1985-07-11)11 July 1985 (aged 27) 2 Brumbies
Ben McCalman Flanker (1988-03-18)18 March 1988 (aged 25) 21 Western Force
George Smith Flanker (1980-07-14)14 July 1980 (aged 32) 110 Brumbies
Ben Mowen Number 8 (1984-12-01)1 December 1984 (aged 28) 0 Brumbies
Wycliff Palu Number 8 (1982-07-27)27 July 1982 (aged 30) 46 NSW Waratahs
Will Genia Scrum-half (1988-01-17)17 January 1988 (aged 25) 41 Queensland Reds
Nick Phipps Scrum-half (1989-09-01)1 September 1989 (aged 23) 12 Melbourne Rebels
Kurtley Beale Fly-half (1989-01-06)6 January 1989 (aged 24) 36 Melbourne Rebels
James O'Connor Fly-half (1990-07-05)5 July 1990 (aged 22) 37 Melbourne Rebels
Adam Ashley-Cooper Centre (1984-03-27)27 March 1984 (aged 29) 77 NSW Waratahs
Rob Horne Centre (1989-08-15)15 August 1989 (aged 23) 14 NSW Waratahs
Christian Lealiifano Centre (1987-09-24)24 September 1987 (aged 25) 0 Brumbies
Pat McCabe Centre (1988-03-21)21 March 1988 (aged 25) 19 Brumbies
Ben Tapuai Centre (1989-01-19)19 January 1989 (aged 24) 7 Queensland Reds
Nick Cummins Wing (1987-10-05)5 October 1987 (aged 25) 6 Western Force
Digby Ioane Wing (1985-07-14)14 July 1985 (aged 27) 34 Queensland Reds
Joe Tomane Wing (1990-02-11)11 February 1990 (aged 23) 1 Brumbies
Luke Morahan Wing (1990-04-13) 13 April 1990 1 Queensland Reds
Berrick Barnes Fullback (1986-05-28)28 May 1986 (aged 27) 50 NSW Waratahs
Israel Folau Fullback (1989-04-03)3 April 1989 (aged 24) 0 NSW Waratahs
Jesse Mogg Fullback (1989-06-08)8 June 1989 (aged 24) 0 Brumbies

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Statistics

Lions player statistics

Key

  • Con: Conversions
  • Pen: Penalties
  • DG: Drop goals
  • Pts: Points
Name Non-Test Test Overall Cards
PlayedTriesConPenDGPts PlayedTriesConPenDGPts PlayedTriesConPenDGPts
Leigh Halfpenny3316606530513049632119011400
Owen Farrell618100511000007181005100
Stuart Hogg5162023––––––516202300
George North42000103200010740002000
Alex Cuthbert3300015110005440002000
Jonathan Sexton4220014310005732001900
Jonathan Davies4300015300000730001500
Brian O'Driscoll2300015200000430001500
Ben Youngs5200010200000720001000
Conor Murray5200010200000720001000
Seán O'Brien4200010200000620001000
Tom Croft3200010200000520001000
Mike Phillips3200010200000520001000
Richard Hibbard61000530000091000500
Dan Lydiate51000530000081000500
Geoff Parling41000530000071000500
Mako Vunipola41000530000071000500
Alun Wyn Jones41000530000071000510
Jamie Heaslip41000520000061000500
Alex Corbisiero30000021000551000500
Sean Maitland510005––––––51000500
Tommy Bowe21000520000041000500
Paul O'Connell31000510000041000500
Jamie Roberts30000011000541000500
Penalty try–1–––5–––––––1–––5––
Dan Cole60000030000090000000
Taulupe Faletau60000010000070000000
Tom Youngs40000030000070000000
Richie Gray50000010000060000000
Adam Jones30000030000060000000
Matt Stevens600000––––––60000000
Justin Tipuric50000010000060000000
Rory Best400000––––––40000000
Ian Evans400000––––––40000000
Manu Tuilagi30000010000040000000
Sam Warburton20000020000040000000
Ryan Grant300000––––––30000000
Rob Kearney300000––––––30000000
Simon Zebo300000––––––30000000
Brad Barritt200000––––––20000000
Cian Healy200000––––––20000000
Billy Twelvetrees200000––––––20000000
Tom Court100000––––––10000000
Christian Wade100000––––––10000000
Shane Williams100000––––––10000000
Dylan HartleyDid not play – Suspended ahead of tour
Gethin JenkinsDid not play – Withdrawn due to injury

Test match statistics

Key

  • Con: Conversions
  • Pen: Penalties
  • DG: Drop goals
  • Pts: Points
Name Team Tries Con Pen DG Pts
Leigh HalfpennyBritish and Irish Lions–513–49
Christian Lealiifano Australia–26–22
Israel Folau Australia2–––10
George NorthBritish and Irish Lions2–––10
James O'Connor Australia111–10
Kurtley Beale Australia––2–6
Adam Ashley-Cooper Australia1–––5
Alex CorbisieroBritish and Irish Lions1–––5
Alex CuthbertBritish and Irish Lions1–––5
Jamie RobertsBritish and Irish Lions1–––5
Jonathan SextonBritish and Irish Lions1–––5

Match details
1 June 2013
19:30 HKT (UTC+8)
British and Irish Lions 59–8 Barbarians
Try: O'Connell 27' c
Phillips (2) 31' c, 42' c
Davies 57' c
Cuthbert (2) 60', 68'
Lydiate 74'
A.W. Jones 80+1' m
Con: Farrell (3/3) 27', 32', 43'
Sexton (2/5) 58', 76'
Pen: Farrell (3/4) 3', 20', 40'
 Report[35][36] Try: Fotuali'i 56' m
Pen: Daly (1/1) 15'
Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong
Attendance: 28,643
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
5 June 2013
18:00 AWST (UTC+8)
Western Force 17–69 British and Irish Lions
Try: R. Brown 46' c
McCaffrey 62' c
Con: Sheehan (2/2) 47', 63'
Pen: Sheehan (1/1) 32'
 Report[37] Try: Sexton 10' c
O'Driscoll (2) 33' c, 64' c
Croft 40' c
Heaslip 42' c
Vunipola 50' c
Bowe 58' c
Farrell 65' c
Parling 75' c
Con: Halfpenny (9/9) 11', 34', 40', 43', 51', 59', 64', 66', 76'
Pen: Halfpenny (2/2) 3', 36'
Patersons Stadium, Perth
Attendance: 35,103
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
8 June 2013
19:30 AEST (UTC+10)
Queensland Reds 12–22 British and Irish Lions
Try: Morahan 17' c
Frisby 62' m
Con: Cooper (1/1) 17'
 Report[38] Try: B. Youngs 33' c
Con: Farrell (1/1) 34'
Pen: Farrell (5/5) 13', 22', 40', 50', 76'
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 50,136
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
11 June 2013
19:30 AEST (UTC+10)
Combined NSW-QLD Country 0–64 British and Irish Lions
Report[39] Try: Cuthbert 7' c
Murray 9' c
Hogg 11' m
North (2) 19' c, 32' m
Hibbard 26' c
O'Driscoll 49' m
Halfpenny 55' c
O'Brien 65' c
Davies 79' c
Con: Hogg (4/6) 8', 10', 20', 27'
Halfpenny (3/4) 56', 66', 80'
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Attendance: 20,071
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
15 June 2013
19:40 AEST (UTC+10)
New South Wales Waratahs 17–47 British and Irish Lions
Try: Carter (2) 13' c, 45' c
Con: McKibbin (2/2) 15', 46'
Pen: McKibbin (1/1) 33'
 Report[40] Try: Sexton 5' c
Halfpenny (2) 39' c, 43' c
Croft 54' c
Davies 71' c
Con: Halfpenny (4/4) 7', 40', 44', 54'
Farrell (1/1) 72'
Pen: Halfpenny (4/4) 3', 18', 26', 51'
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 40,805
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
18 June 2013
19:40 AEST (UTC+10)
Brumbies 14–12 British and Irish Lions
Try: Kuridrani 4' m
Pen: Mogg (3/4) 39', 45', 53'
 Report[41] Pen: Hogg (2/4) 40+2', 55'
Farrell (2/2) 63', 71'
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Attendance: 21,655
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
First test
22 June 2013
20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia  21–23 British and Irish Lions
Try: Folau (2) 12' c, 34' m
Con: O'Connor (1/2) 13'
Pen: O'Connor (1/3) 51'
Beale (2/4) 61', 68'
 Report[42] Try: North 25' c
Cuthbert 48' c
Con: Halfpenny (2/2) 27', 48'
Pen: Halfpenny (3/4) 23', 31', 65'
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 52,499
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
FB15Berrick Barnes 38'
RW14Israel Folau
OC13Adam Ashley-Cooper 76'
IC12Christian Lealiifano 1'
LW11Digby Ioane
FH10James O'Connor
SH9Will Genia
N88Wycliff Palu
OF7Michael Hooper
BF6Ben Mowen
RL5James Horwill (c)
LL4Kane Douglas 68'
TP3Ben Alexander 57'
HK2Stephen Moore
LP1Benn Robinson 68'
Replacements:
HK16Saia Fainga'a
PR17James Slipper 68'
PR18Sekope Kepu 57'
LK19Rob Simmons 68'
FL20Liam Gill 46'
SH21Nick Phipps 76'
CE22Pat McCabe 1' 46'
FH23Kurtley Beale 38'
Coach:
Robbie Deans
FB15 Leigh Halfpenny
RW14 Alex Cuthbert
OC13 Brian O'Driscoll
IC12 Jonathan Davies
LW11 George North
FH10 Jonathan Sexton
SH9 Mike Phillips 62'
N88 Jamie Heaslip
OF7 Sam Warburton (c)
BF6 Tom Croft 72'
RL5 Paul O'Connell
LL4 Alun Wyn Jones 70'
TP3 Adam Jones 51'
HK2 Tom Youngs 64'
LP1 Alex Corbisiero 51'
Replacements:
HK16 Richard Hibbard 64'
PR17 Mako Vunipola 51'
PR18 Dan Cole 51'
LK19 Geoff Parling 70'
FL20 Dan Lydiate 72'
SH21 Ben Youngs 62'
FH22 Owen Farrell
WG23 Sean Maitland
Coach:
Warren Gatland

Man of the Match:
Israel Folau (Australia)[43]

Touch judges:
Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Romain Poite (France)
Television match official:
Vinny Munro (New Zealand)

25 June 2013
19:40 AEST (UTC+10)
Melbourne Rebels 0–35 British and Irish Lions
Report[44] Try: Murray 15' c
Maitland 27' c
O'Brien 49' c
Penalty try 62' c
B. Youngs 72' c
Con: Farrell (3/3) 16', 28', 50'
Hogg (2/2) 63', 73'
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Attendance: 28,648
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Second test
29 June 2013
20:05 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia  16–15 British and Irish Lions
Try: Ashley-Cooper 74' c
Con: Lealiifano (1/1) 76'
Pen: Lealiifano (3/3) 16', 23', 36
 Report[45] Pen: Halfpenny (5/7) 9', 27', 32', 39', 62'
Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Attendance: 56,771
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
FB15Kurtley Beale
RW14Israel Folau
OC13Adam Ashley-Cooper
IC12Christian Lealiifano
LW11Joe Tomane
FH10James O'Connor
SH9Will Genia
N88Wycliff Palu 60'
OF7Michael Hooper
BF6Ben Mowen
RL5James Horwill (c)
LL4Kane Douglas 53'
TP3Ben Alexander 58'
HK2Stephen Moore
LP1Benn Robinson 60' 76'
Replacements:
HK16Saia Fainga'a
PR17James Slipper 60' 76'
PR18Sekope Kepu 58'
LK19Rob Simmons 53'
FL20Liam Gill 60'
SH21Nick Phipps
CE22Rob Horne
FB23Jesse Mogg
Coach:
Robbie Deans
FB15 Leigh Halfpenny
RW14 Tommy Bowe
OC13 Brian O'Driscoll
IC12 Jonathan Davies
LW11 George North
FH10 Jonathan Sexton
SH9 Ben Youngs 53'
N88 Jamie Heaslip 62'
OF7 Sam Warburton (c) 66'
BF6 Dan Lydiate
RL5 Geoff Parling
LL4 Alun Wyn Jones
TP3 Adam Jones 58'
HK2 Tom Youngs 56'
LP1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements:
HK16 Richard Hibbard 56'
PR17 Ryan Grant
PR18 Dan Cole 58'
FL19 Tom Croft 66'
FL20 Seán O'Brien 62'
SH21 Conor Murray 53'
FH22 Owen Farrell
WG23 Alex Cuthbert
Coach:
Warren Gatland

Man of the Match
Christian Lealiifano (Australia)

Touch judges:
Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Romain Poite (France)
Television match official:
Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Third test
6 July 2013
20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia  16–41 British and Irish Lions
Try: O'Connor 40' c
Con: Lealiifano (1/1) 40'
Pen: Lealiifano (3/3) 8', 41', 45'
 Report[46] Try: Corbisiero 1' c
Sexton 57' c
North 64' m
Roberts 67' c
Con: Halfpenny (3/4) 2', 57', 69'
Pen: Halfpenny (5/5) 7', 12', 15', 25', 51'
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 83,702
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
FB15Kurtley Beale
RW14Israel Folau 27'
OC13Adam Ashley-Cooper
IC12Christian Lealiifano
LW11Joe Tomane
FH10James O'Connor
SH9Will Genia 70'
N88Wycliff Palu 60'
OF7George Smith 4' 9' 27' 35' 66'
BF6Ben Mowen
RL5James Horwill (c)
LL4Kane Douglas 62'
TP3Ben Alexander 24' to 34' 35'
HK2Stephen Moore 55' to 63' 72'
LP1Benn Robinson 66'
Replacements:
HK16Saia Fainga'a 55' 63' 72'
PR17James Slipper 66'
PR18Sekope Kepu 27'
LK19Rob Simmons 62'
FL20Ben McCalman 60'
FL21Michael Hooper 4' 9' 66'
SH22Nick Phipps 70'
FB23Jesse Mogg 27'
Coach:
Robbie Deans
FB15 Leigh Halfpenny
RW14 Tommy Bowe
OC13 Jonathan Davies
IC12 Jamie Roberts 69'
LW11 George North
FH10 Jonathan Sexton 63'
SH9 Mike Phillips 51'
N88 Taulupe Faletau 55' to 59'
OF7 Seán O'Brien 59'
BF6 Dan Lydiate
RL5 Geoff Parling 67'
LL4 Alun Wyn Jones (c)
TP3 Adam Jones 55'
HK2 Richard Hibbard 47'
LP1 Alex Corbisiero 67'
Replacements:
HK16 Tom Youngs 47'
PR17 Mako Vunipola 67'
PR18 Dan Cole 55'
LK19 Richie Gray 67'
FL20 Justin Tipuric 55'
SH21 Conor Murray 51'
FH22 Owen Farrell 63'
CE23 Manu Tuilagi 69'
Coach:
Warren Gatland

Man of the Match
Leigh Halfpenny (British and Irish Lions)

Touch judges:
Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Television match official:
Vinny Munro (New Zealand)

Attendances

The tour drew record attendances to several of the 10 matches. The Lions opened the tour in front of 28,643 for a game against the Barbarians at the Hong Kong Stadium. Their first game in Australia attracted 35,103 to Patersons Stadium for their opening match in Australia against the Western Force, while their next game against the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium attracted a record Reds home attendance of 50,136. The game against the ACT Brumbies attracted 21,655 to Canberra Stadium for the Lions first loss of the tour. Three days before the game against the Brumbies, 40,805 saw the Lions thrash the New South Wales Waratahs 47–17 at the Sydney Football Stadium. In the only tour game played after the test series had started, the Lions attracted a rugby union record crowd of 28,648 to AAMI Park where they defeated the Melbourne Rebels 35–0.

The test series against Australia was even more successful and drew the record sporting attendance to each stadium used. The first test saw 52,499 at Suncorp Stadium, the second test drew 56,771 to Melbourne's Etihad Stadium, while 83,704 attended the third and deciding test at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

Broadcasting

Fox Sports and Network Ten televised the tour in Australia, and in the UK and Ireland the games were shown by Sky Sports. Talksport provided live UK radio commentary of all matches.[47]

Sky Sports NZL covered the tour in New Zealand and SuperSport in South Africa. In Europe, Sky Italia showed the tour in Italy, Vatican City and San Marino while Canal+ covered it in France, Andorra and Luxembourg. The tour was covered by Setanta Sports Asia across most of Asia and the Pacific Islands and J Sports showed fixtures in Japan. Gulf DTH covered the Arabic countries in Asia. ESPN Latin America showed the tour in South America and DirecTV in America (on Channel 490) and Setanta Sports Canada in Canada.[48]

Sponsors

HSBC is the main sponsor of the Lions, having also sponsored their 2009 tour to South Africa. Adidas are the playing and training supplier and have been since the 1997 tour, while Rhino supply training aids. Microsoft are the Lions' technology partners and Thomas Pink supply the official formal and evening wear for the team.[49] Qantas are the official airline of the tour, as well as the main sponsors of the Wallabies.[50] DHL are the sponsors of the tour itself and Gilbert provide all match balls. Specsavers are the sponsors of all match officials.[51]

References
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  4. "British and Irish Lions delay naming team for Saturday's series decider". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
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  10. Kitson, Robert (30 April 2013). "More hopes dashed than ever as Warren Gatland names 37". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
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