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Let’s get the Lions roaring back with new tour
Batley Bulldogs coach Karl Harrison.
Former Featherstone Rovers, Hull and Halifax prop Harrison, 47, was part of the Great Britain team that memorably stunned Australia 33-10 at Melbourne in 1992 and he believes it is crucial to restore the old tradition.
“Touring with the British Lions was the pinnacle of my career,” he told the Yorkshire Post.
“They were such physical matches, really good for the game and so special.
“I think the international scene misses those Lions tours nowadays and likewise the Kiwis and Kangaroos coming over here.
“There needs to be a window there for it to happen although it’s a pity we can’t take on the provincial sides, too.
“That’s the trouble now with the seasons running concurrently and I don’t think it can be done.”
Traditional tours saw a midweek side tackle clubs such as Manly, St George, Brisbane and Cronulla before the Test matches on a weekend but the switch to summer rugby means Super League operates at the same time as the NRL making it unfeasible.
Any plans for next year, which also include a Pacific All Stars game in either Sydney or Auckland, will be scaled down in comparison but it will inevitably have a tour feel and it is hoped it could prove a significant learning experience for British players ahead of the World Cup 12 months later.
“It’s sad we’ve gone away from the Lions,” continued Harrison, who had a two-year spell as England coach before stepping down in 2006.
“I understand why they’ve done it but we need to get back to being Great Britain and this is the opportunity.
“It would help push international rugby league to the forefront of people’s minds and watching the elite versus the elite is what the game is about.
“It’s what we were brought up on as kids and I think we’re losing a little of the heritage out of the game.
“I’m a bit of a rugby league purist; I like traditional things, traditional clubs and traditional aspects to my lifestyle.
“Great Britain and the Lions fits into that.”
It is understood the RFL would like to pursue the idea but they may hit problems given the actual lack of Scottish, Welsh or Irish players that would actually make any such squad.
Now that Scotland captain Danny Brough has once more pledged his allegiance to England, there are very few other contenders for a place in the Great Britain squad.
Wales stand-off Lee Briers would, in many eyes, be a certainty in any touring party but the veteran playmaker has consistently been overlooked by Lions chiefs throughout his marvellous Super League career with Warrington.
It would be embarrassing for RFL chiefs to reinstate Great Britain, who first toured in 1910, and then depart with a solely English squad.
The governing body are currently considering all possibilities and are keen to play some international football in the autumn of 2012.
The only option definitely ruled out so far is Australia touring the United Kingdom as they are adamant they will not do that ahead of a World Cup year.
However, they would entertain the idea of hosting the aforementioned mini-tour while New Zealand are willing to travel here and vice-versa.
Great Britain did visit New Zealand and Fiji in 1996 but it proved a doomed trip which ended in farce, some players having to be sent home because the tour actually ran out of money while the visitors lost the Kiwi series 3-0.
The first Tri-Nations tournament was staged three years later, as part of the new era ushered in by the advent of Super League, and the last time the Kangaroos visited these shores for a full tour was 1994.
dave.craven@ypn.co.uk
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