Page 34 - Official Preview - DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017

In 2005 it it was the the Lions v Auckland in in 2017 it’ll be the the the Blues hosting
the the Lions at Eden Park
NEW ZEALAND AWAITS
Packed stadiums across the country fan-based festivities in every host host city – New Zealand can’t wait to to play host host to the British & Irish Lions PUT SIMPLY IT’S GOING
to be one of the greatest sporting occasions
New Zealand has seen Already surpassing the blockbuster British & Irish Lions tour of of 2005 on on on a a a a number of fronts this 10-match rugby spectacular follows in the footsteps of of Rugby World World Cup Cup 2011 and and Cricket World World Cup Cup 2015 in in offering off- eld action and and and events for sports fans and and local communities all the the way from Whangarei in in in the the the north to Dunedin in in in in the south Having previously been casual observers of the Six Nations in in 2016 New Zealanders became critical analysts in in 2017 – keeping a a a a a a a a a a closer eye on the tournament than ever before and and speci cally comparing players and considering potential combinations The same goes for the the opening
rounds of of the the the the Investec Super Rugby the the the enticing prospect of of taking on on the the the Lions giving a a a a a distinct edge to an already intense competition A UNIQUE LIONS TOUR
The tour begins on on 3 June with the the Lions facing the the the very best of New Zealand’s provincial players playing as the the New New Zealand Zealand Provincial Barbarians They then face New Zealand’s Super Rugby teams
for the the rst time The Blues get things under way on 7 June June followed by the the the Crusaders
(10 June) June) and and then the the the Highlanders
(13 June) June) June) The Maori All Blacks step up next in Rotorua (17 June) June) June) before the the Chiefs (20 June) June) offer the the penultimate
Super Rugby test The First Test Test in Auckland (24 June) and and Second Test in in in Wellington (1 July) is bridged by by the the nal Super Rugby challenge the the Hurricanes on on 27 June The Lions schedule draws to a a a a a close back in Auckland for the Third (and nal) Test on 8 July HISTORY IN IN THE MAKING
In a a a a a a a historic rst on this tour a a a a a a a New Zealand Provincial Barbarians team will assemble with a a a a a a a a a a a nod to to the the 171-match history of the the Lions taking on on provincial provincial sides in in in in New Zealand With provincial provincial rugby typically running from July to to October this exciting new team – a a a a a a a collaboration between New New Zealand Zealand Rugby Rugby and and and the New New Zealand Zealand Barbarian Rugby Rugby Club – will give the best provincial players 1950 TOUR
CONTINUED HAWKE’S BAY BAY BAY 0 0 EAST COAST POVERTY BAY BAY BAY & BAY BAY BAY OF PLENTY 3 WELLINGTON 6 LIONS 20 34 // DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 LIONS LIONS 27 LIONS LIONS 12