Hansen in favour of Auckland Tests

The British and Irish Lions announced the details of their 2017 tour of New Zealand on Friday with Auckland hosting two of the three Tests against the All Blacks.

Eden Park will welcome the Lions for the first and third Tests and New Zealand Head Coach Steve Hansen has said the games had to be played there for the All Blacks to profit from them.

This means that the South Island has been snubbed with Dunedin and Christchurch left out of the Lions’ schedule in just under two years’ time.

Hansen has admitted he is disappointed not to see tests in the South Island, but the All Blacks coach did say it was a “realistic” decision not to play in Christchurch as it will boost their income because they will be playing in a larger stadium.

Also, the provinces (apart from Northland) will miss out as their games are being played against all Super Rugby teams instead. This will be good for the ever improving Super Rugby game and also will be stern challenges for the Lions.

It does seem mad that Auckland gets three games across the tour considering provinces like Southland, Tasman and Taranaki are used to playing the Lions and collecting all the tourism associated with their visit, but that is the way it has gone for 2017.

The Lions’ tour will kick-off on June 3 against a Provincial Union team in Whanarei while their showdowns with the All Blacks begin on June 24.

The second test in Wellington will be on July 1 with the Lions returning to Auckland on July 8.

 What do you think of the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour fixtures?

 2017 British and Irish Lions tour fixtures:

3 June - Provincial union team (Toll Stadium, Whangarei)

7 June - Blues (Eden Park, Auckland)

10 June - Crusaders (AMI Stadium, Christchurch)

13 June - Highlanders (Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin)

17 June - Maori (International Stadium, Rotorua)

20 June - Chiefs (Waikato Stadium, Hamilton)

24 June - New Zealand (First Test, Eden Park, Auckland)

27 June - Hurricanes (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)

1 July - New Zealand (Second Test, Westpac Stadium, Wellington)

8 July - New Zealand (Third Test, Eden Park, Auckland).