4 . the swak raiders 02 Jul 2013 09:24 AM
The Lions tour format should never be reduced. The Sanzar countries only get to host the Lions each every 12 years, it is always a fantastic spectacle that gets the supporters worked up to a fever pitch. The Lions players don't have much opportunity to synchronize being from 4 separate nations. Fewer games would disadvantage them on top of being away from home. Super Rugby needs to be shortened. The Rugby Championship should only be every 2nd year and I'd like to see more tours including a couple midweek games.

2 . Barcaldine Bunyips 29 Jun 2013 05:32 PM
The long touring format is part of the occasion. There used to be more games. 18 in total on the South African tour in 1980. It's only every four years,so the host Nation and SANZAR just need to organise the best possible program so we don't see what happened in Perth. Like I'd said previously, playing the Lions playing the Barbarians was pointless and put Western Force in a situation that could have been avoided if the Lions had arrived one week earlier and played them when they had the Super Rugby bye. Crowds have been epic, why change? It is part of the history to play lesser opposition and give guys a taste of the big time. If anything it is Super Rugby that I'd like to see shortened to 14 rnds where each team plays all others just once, one year at home, the next away. Seven games each weekend with one team having the bye.