No Melbourne Test in 2029
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster shut the door on Wednesday morning. Asked about reports from Australia that a British and Irish Lions Test could be moved to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2029, he did not hedge. “Well, it won’t be happening in 2029. I can tell you that.”
All three Tests will be played in New Zealand. Lancaster called an Australian venue “not acceptable”, even though he admitted the revenue argument is real.
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The money question
The All Blacks already play most of their fixtures offshore to generate income, and Lancaster said the union owes something back to home supporters. “We have to balance that with the international playing schedule,” he said, pointing to the constant pull to take matches abroad where they earn more.
The Lions have their own concerns. New Zealand’s stadiums hold far fewer people than the big venues on other tours, and the tourists want to maximise what each Test brings in. That tension is what fuelled the Melbourne talk.
A fourth Test was explored
Lancaster also confirmed the extra-match idea was looked at. “We explored that with the Lions,” he said, but the tourists have a limited window in which they can secure their players. The outcome: “It’ll be a three-Test series, and they’ll all be in New Zealand.”
For fans planning trips three years out, that settles the main logistical question. The series stays on home soil.
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