'Why wouldn't we?' - New Rugby Australia boss welcomes Lions but admits they're not priority
Andy Marinos has simple instructions to "get the game going" as he begins his new job as Rugby Australia boss, but he knows that'll be far easier said than done. Formerly in charge of SANZAAR, the Zimbabwe-born, eight-Test Welsh centre officially started this week at RA headquarters, just days out from Super Rugby AU trial games and mere weeks from the season proper.
Making sure that goes ahead is his first task, with Western Australia's border closure the latest spanner in the works as RA incorporates the return of the Western Force into the domestic fold.
Beyond that is a Super Rugby trans-Tasman initiative that will bring its own complications of international travel, while the Wallabies are due to host France for Tests in July.
Rugby Australia have also rolled out the red carpet for the British and Irish Lions and South Africa after that, if due to COVID-19 the Springboks are unable to host the famous squad on home soil.
Cameos as a coach for his son's junior team, as well stints running the line as a touch judge, mean Marinos is speaking from experience when he says the grassroots connection must be strengthened too.
"To get the game going really," he said when asked what RA's board had asked of him.
"We've got to be realistic to understand that there are so many curve balls that come at us and it's about making sure we have a domestic competition that's up and running and functional.
"We've stepped away from Super Rugby for the foreseeable future so we need to make sure that we've got a very strong cross-border competition with our friends across the ditch and possible new entrants going forward."
Reports out of Europe suggest their invitation to host the Lions, and allow both visiting teams to keep the profits, hadn't been met with the enthusiasm RA had hoped.
"When it comes to the Lions, our main priority is to get our French tour underway and complete that tour," Marinos said.
"If we can provide a safe haven or an environment where the British and Irish Lions tour can continue, why wouldn't we?
"It's so important for the global rugby economy and community that we have international rugby played with as little disruption as we could get throughout this year.
"If we can help in any way, we certainly will."
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And they came from behind to win two big games before the final. No one can say what would have happened. Had the boks gone behind the game plan changes and the result may changes. Ifs and ands are irrelevant. The boks won. Neutral critics enjoyed the games they played. Its not a popularity contest. Get over it and move on.
Go to commentsI'm happy for the people of SA to get a second WC. And I mean that. I was very disappointed with this man's “stand on the hand” incident with Josh Van Der Flyer (Ireland). Ireland's downfall in the last WC was they did not rotate their first 15 as the head coach probably should have. That said, I'm happy for SA and genuinely hope it lifts the mood in their country. Ireland did beat them in the first match of the tournament. And before the trolls start trolling ….. please don't bother. Etzbeth said recently that the Irish players said after the match “see you in the final”…..this was actually wishing the SA team the best of luck in the rest, the Irish team were not dismissing the AB’s. This is what Etzbeth was implying. But he was wrong. I no longer live in Ireland. But I hope to see them lift that cup before I pass. Anyway, congratulations SA. 👍
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