Western Australia Minister for Tourism Kim Hames

Lions Tour De Force To Start In Perth

Victor P Taffa

• British and Irish Lions play Western Force on June 5, 2013
• First match in Australia since 2001

One of the world’s most revered rugby union sides will kick off its 2013 tour of Australia in Perth.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the British and Irish Lions’ visit Down Under would start on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 with a match against the Western Force.

“The British and Irish Lions is a formidable team and its past tours of Australia have proven popular with local rugby fans.” Dr. Hames said.

“The 2013 tour is expected to have a significant economic impact with thousands of visitors travelling to Australia to watch the Lions in action.”

The Lions versus the Western Force match is part of a three-year deal between the State Government, through Eventscorp, and the Australian Rugby Union.

The Minister said the deal, announced in September, would see the Wallabies play an international test match in Perth every year for the next three years.

“From next year, the current Tri Nations competition will be expanded to include Argentina.” Dr. Hames said.

“The first Perth match in the new competition will be between the Wallabies and the Springboks in September 2012.”

The Wallabies will play Argentina in Perth in 2013 and the Springboks again in 2014.

Dr. Hames said all the test matches would be exclusive to Western Australia.

“These matches will be the only times the Springboks and the Pumas play on Australian soil in their respective years, so it is expected that they will attract interstate and overseas interest.” Dr. Hames said.

Fact File

• British and Irish Lions includes players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland
• For more information visit http://www.rugby.com.au