Warren Gatland proposes British and Irish Lions' decider game against All Blacks as fund-raiser

Former Wales head coach Warren Gatland proposed a deciding game between British and Irish Lions and New Zealand to be used as a fund-raiser following the pandemic coronavirus.

As the outbreak of COVID-19 had disrupted almost every competition this season, Gatland believes the game between Lions and All Blacks can generate a lot of revenue once the sport resumes.

Gatland was in charge of Lions when they toured New Zealand in 2017 when both the teams had to share the three-game series after the third Test ended in a draw as the competitiveness in the series generated a lot of interest.

“I’ve spoken to Mark Robinson about a warm-up game for the Lions and he was potentially talking about the New Zealand Maoris,” Gatland told Sky Sports New Zealand.

“But is it something that the All Blacks go up there for? A decider before we go off to South Africa at the end of June next year.

“Potentially it’s an opportunity to make 4 million or 5 million pounds ($6.16 million) from a game like that and put some money back into the coffers that we’re going to need.”

Gatland, who coached the Lions in 2013 and 2017 tours of Australia and New Zealand respectively will continue to remain in charge of the side when they head to South Africa in 2021.