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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Prenderville

Australia and NZ 'in talks' to form first ANZAC team for 36 years to face Lions in 2025

Australia and New Zealand could join forces to take on the British and Irish Lions as part of their tour in 2025.

The Lions are set to head Down Under for their next tour for the first time since 2013, when Warren Gatland's side won a fantastic series 2-1.

Australia and New Zealand last fielded an iconic ANZAC XV in 1989 but organisers have held talks over a showpiece event, with the hope of attracting a huge crowd at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"We've talked to the Kiwis about hosting an ANZAC team against the Lions in 2025 and they're considering the idea," Rugby Australia chief Hamish McLennan told the Mail.

"I'm in no doubt it would be a belter and we'd sell the MCG out with 100,000 fans. The best of the Wallabies and the All Blacks against the Lions would create enormous global coverage."

The Lions' last series in South Africa was played behind closed doors with thousands of fans expected to travel to Australia in 2025 for the three-Test event with the Wallabies.

The last encounter against an ANZAC XV came at the end of the 1989 Tour with the tourists beating the likes of Michael Lynagh and David Campese 19-15 in Brisbane.

McLennan also insisted relations between Australia and New Zealand had improved in recent weeks amid tensions over Super Rugby negotiations.

"All is good with the Kiwis now, we're friends again and we'd be happy to give them a cut," he added.

The location of the three Test matches is yet to be confirmed but a match in the Pacific Islands has also been suggested for the Lions.

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