Burke says with Australia hosting The Lions tour only every twelve years, it is easy to underestimate its magnitude – as he did, even as a Wallabies player in 2001 when The Lions toured here.
“It only comes to Australia every twelve years. So, you can forget how big it is,” Burke said.
“Even when we played The Lions here in 2001, we didn’t know as players how big it would be, the enormity of it all with so many people touring.
“For the first Test in Brisbane, when driving to The Gabba for the game, we thought there must be a Sydney Swans game on nearby because of all the red jerseys we saw.”
History shows that the Wallabies lost 29-13 in that Test; but then rallied to win the second Test 35-14 in Melbourne and the third Test in Sydney 29-23 to win the series.
Burke is encouraging Australians to prepare for The Lions’ nine-match tour in 2025 – with the last three fixtures being Tests against the Wallabies – by seizing opportunities to get involved at games and at functions.
One premier event, Burke says, will be the Official NSW Waratahs and The British & Irish Lions Lunch to be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Sydney on Friday 4 July.
The lunch, approved by Destination NSW, is ideally timed with the NSW Waratahs to play The Lions at Allianz Stadium in Sydney then next day, Saturday 5 July 5.
Tickets are now available for the lunch that will feature an extravaganza of insights, banter and reflections from former players and rugby pundits.
“These events all help build momentum in the lead-up to the Tests,” Burke said.
“You hear from some great personalities of the game, some great anecdotes that all help to fuel the mood.
“The Lions series builds up to the three Tests, but the weeks leading up to the Tests with games against the Australian Super Rugby franchises and functions like this can be just as special to attend.”
Tickets for the Official NSW Waratahs and The British & Irish Lions Lunch are now available. To purchase a ticket:
