Why Eddie Jones wants 'nothing to do with New Zealand players'

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has distanced himself from a southern hemisphere all-stars side that will play the British and Irish Lions in Adelaide in one of nine games on the 2025 tour of Australia. Fixtures for the hotly anticipated visit were confirmed in Brisbane on Wednesday, exactly two years before the Lions' clash with the Wallabies at the nearby Suncorp Stadium.

The Lions will play three Tests – they will also face the Wallabies at the MCG and Sydney's Accor Stadium – face all five Australian Super Rugby clubs and, for the first time since 1989, line up against an Australian and New Zealand combined XV.

But new Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh even hinted at Wednesday's launch that South African and Argentinian talent could also feature in the combined side in the Adelaide Oval exhibition.

Combining the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Lions tour either Australia, New Zealand or South Africa every four years. They beat Australia 2-1 on their last visit in 2013, losing to the Brumbies en route. The Wallabies won the previous tour, 12 years earlier, 2-1.

Armed with a famously passionate travelling contingent, the Lions remain one of world rugby's greatest drawcards. The tour is hoped to supercharge the code's coffers and generate interest ahead of Australia hosting the men's World Cup in 2027, the women's World Cup in 2029 and the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.

Jones sneered when asked if he would be involved in picking the team, saying he wanted "nothing to do with New Zealand players" and that he would have preferred an Australia A side play the Lions as they did on their last visit. "It's an opportunity missed," he said before pumping up the significance of the Lions' visit.

"It's a real drama; 40,000 from the northern hemisphere set out on a rugby party across Australia. And it's like a career-best for you as a player... Justin Harrison made his name, Joe Roff, people remember those players for the rest of their lives and they sit in the history of the game."

The British and Irish Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said he had the backing of the Premiership Rugby and URC clubs to ensure the Lions enjoyed a thorough preparation window.

"That gives us the best possible chance of a series victory," he said. "Our ambition is to further build upon this position and make this upcoming tour the greatest Lions tour ever."