Lions roar into Perth to start Australian tour

One of the world's most formidable rugby teams, the British & Irish Lions, arrive in Perth this morning to start the DHL Australia 2013 Lions tour.

  • British & Irish Lions kick-off Australian tour in Perth

  • First match on Australian soil in 12 years

  • Supported by State Government, through Eventscorp

One of the world's most formidable rugby teams, the British & Irish Lions, arrive in Perth this morning to start the DHL Australia 2013 Lions tour.

The State Government, through Eventscorp, is supporting the visit as part of a three-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union.

Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the Lions would launch their tour with a match against the Emirates Western Force on Wednesday night at Patersons Stadium.

"It has been 12 years since the revered British & Irish Lions played on Western Australian soil and on that occasion they enjoyed a 106-point win over a State team," Dr Hames said.

"It will be fantastic to see the Lions, who have been selected from the best players in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, take on the Western Force for the first time in what promises to be an action-packed and hopefully much more closely contested match.

"Western Australia hosted its first international Rugby Test match in 1998 when the Wallabies played South Africa, and since then 18 international games have been played in the State.

"Rugby has a strong following in WA and the match is expected to attract good crowds, not only from Western Force fans but also from our large British ex-pat community and fans travelling from the UK to follow the Lions' tour."

The Minister said the deal would also see the Qantas Wallabies play International Test matches in Perth against Argentina in September this year and South Africa in 2014.

"These matches will provide great exposure for WA, increase visitation and add vibrancy to our extraordinary city," he said.

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