Planning the ‘purrfect’ time for Lions, fans
Christchurch City Council and other groups in the city are well into the planning to welcome and entertain the British and Irish Lions rugby squad and the thousands of fans expected to follow the team as it travels around New Zealand from early next month.
The Lions play six provincial matches before arriving in Christchurch around 22 June for the first of three Tests against the All Blacks. The Jade Stadium contest kicks off just after 7pm on Saturday, 25 June.
Footy in the Square
If you don’t have a ticket for the Test at Jade, come down to Cathedral Square on Saturday 25 June and watch the action broadcast live on our big screen. Provided in conjunction with the New Zealand Rugby Union, Christchurch City Council invites the whole family to be entertained from 5.30pm in our family friendly, alcohol-free Square.
“There are going to be a huge number of visitors in town so let’s pull out the stops and make our visitors feel 100 per cent at home and together enjoy all the festivities Christchurch has to offer,” says Mayor Garry Moore. “Our visitors will know Canterbury’s the powerhouse of New Zealand rugby. Let’s show them that Christchurch is also a great city and offers the best hospitality in the country.”
Some history
The British and Irish Lions are a combined rugby team made up of top players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The team picked up the Lions nickname in the inter-war period because of the emblem on the players’ jersey and lapel badges.
The team visits Australia, New Zealand and South Africa on a rotational basis. The tours are hugely popular, with Lions fans travelling in their thousands to follow the fortunes of their team.
Out of a total of 35 Test matches played between New Zealand and the Lions, New Zealand’s has won 26 to the Lions’ six, with three drawn. Sir Clive Woodward, the World Cup-winning coach, is the brains behind this year’s team. He has put together a squad of more than 40 players.
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