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2d ago

British and Irish Lions Tour to Australia to Trial 20-Minute Red Cards and Golden Point

Rugby Australia is finalising sudden-death extra time details with Lions management to prevent a tied series.

Rugby Australia Director of High Performance Peter Horne, Australian National team Rugby Union coach-in-waiting Les Kiss, Australian National Rugby Union team current coach Joe Schmidt and Rugby Australia Chief Executive Phil Waugh pose at Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Australia April 30, 2025 . REUTERS/Nick Mulvenney/File Photo/File Photo
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Overview

  • The Lions will play Argentina in Dublin on June 20 before three Tests and six tour matches across Australia in June, July and August 2025.
  • Both Rugby Australia and Lions management have agreed to implement the 20-minute red card rule, allowing a sent-off player to be replaced after 20 minutes.
  • Rugby Australia has formally proposed golden point sudden-death extra time for the deciding third Test if it ends in a draw, subject to approval by the Lions board.
  • The rule changes aim to avoid a repeat of the 15-15 drawn decider in 2017’s Lions-All Blacks series, which left the overall result shared.
  • Discussions have also taken place on launching a 16-team World Club Championship in 2028, though its integration into the Super Rugby calendar remains under review.