"Ditch Australia!" – Lions Legend Stuns Fans with Surprise Pick for Perfect New Tour Destination

The current 12-year rotation sees the Lions face off against the traditional powerhouses of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. But with the 2025 tour Down Under already raising eyebrows over the Wallabies’ lacklustre competitiveness, Moore – a Test series winner in 1989 – believes it’s time for change.

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The former England hooker has urged Lions bosses to consider a fresh destination for 2037, suggesting Australia may no longer offer the challenge or spectacle worthy of the famous red jersey.

Writing in The Telegraph, Moore claimed that taking the famous touring side stateside could be an exciting new tour.

“I am aware from speaking to several Lions’ committee members that there have been discussions about whether to strike out in different directions in the future,” he began.

“The problem is that South Africa and New Zealand will remain premier touring destinations, so you are talking about a once-in-every-12-years tour. It might be that Australia has recovered its place at rugby union’s top table by then – but what if things go backwards?

“None of this is straightforward. Talk of taking on France is misguided. A format that contains only Six Nations players would imitate the world’s oldest and premier rugby union tournament, which has been consistently popular and commercially successful.

“The United States would be ideal if the Eagles could deliver long-hoped-for standards, but what if you commit to it and improvements do not come? There are many factors that work against the US vision, and I cannot see them being solved even in the medium term.

“Touring the Pacific Islands and Argentina would be good for the image of the game, but commercially challenging, and the Lions are about making money in the professional era. One challenge is the R360 professional circus, which is said to be imminent.

“Where do the Lions fit in a rugby world that might see all its top players playing against each other 16 times a year? What is the attraction of Lions players taking on opponents who might already be regular teammates or adversaries?”

These four players did their chances of test selection no favours as they underperformed in the match in Melbourne.

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Planet Rugby 5/10: "Had two of his passes picked off, the first led to a try while the second was damn close to costing the Lions again. That was just two of the four turnovers that he conceded in the first half alone. He got better in the second period and topped the running metres in the match while using his boot to good effect and finally nailed a long pass for a try assist. But frankly, today was his opportunity to claim a starting jersey on Saturday but didn’t."

Telegraph 3/10: "Surely played his way out of the Test squad, throwing two horrific intercepts. One delicious pass for Osborne’s second try but four turnovers is a black mark."

Verdict: Two horror intercepts, four turnovers, and a performance that screamed panic. Yes, there was a slick assist for Osborne, but it was too little, too late. Kinghorn looked rattled, and Farrell will have noticed.

Rugby Pass 4/10: "Got rinsed more times at scrum time than a white t-shirt with a pesky Bolognese stain. He wasn’t much better in contact, coughing up ball and metres. He’s had a fine tour, but this was an off-night."

Planet Rugby 3/10: "Comfortably bettered by Lington Leli in the scrums in the first half. When he left the pitch in the 51st minute, he had conceded three penalties and was quiet in open play. Sure, it was difficult at scrum time when Ryan was absent from the set-piece, but he had to do better. Unless there is an injury, that looks to be the end of his tour."

BALLS 4/10: "Had a nightmare in the scrum and conceded three penalties in the opening 40 minutes. Made little ground on his carries. Landed his four tackles."

RUCK 5.5/10: "Flew into a ruck off his feet, with Seru Uru battling beyond the Connacht prop for a 28th-minute penalty. Overwhelmed at a 33rd-minute scrum, as Lington Ieli won the FN&P a scrum penalty."

Verdict: A bruising reminder that tour form doesn’t always translate. Conceded ground and penalties in equal measure. Bealham looked miles off Test standard here.

Telegraph 5/10: "Highlight was an early scuffle with Uru and then a turnover at the end, otherwise fairly quiet. A tour that started with such promise has fizzled out."

BALLS 6/10: "Very quiet first half. Peeled off a couple of scrums when he was needed to dig the heels in. Got in a couple of jersey-grabbing scuffs."

Irish Times 6/10: "A vital breakdown penalty late on, won several lineouts, and managed to get in the face of the opposition, literally on one occasion. But he was quieter than usual in the unfamiliar role of number eight."

Verdict: Early aggression with Uru raised eyebrows, but his influence faded fast. One late turnover doesn’t cover for a game spent chasing shadows. Lions jersey might be slipping away.

Telegraph 3/10: "Tupou spread Schoeman like marmalade at scrum time. A few decent carries could not make up for his pasting up front."

The Scottish bulldozer was bulldozed. Though he trucked up a few carries, Schoeman was devoured in the scrum and outmuscled by the Wallaby wrecking ball. A chastening night.

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