Rugby: Provinces angry at Lions' whistle-stop tour

The provinces are upset over the Lions' tour plans, accusing Sir Clive Woodward's side of making "token gestures" towards them.

A Lions spokeswoman confirmed tour arrangements to the Herald which realise the worst fears of rugby bosses here, and deny thousands of fans the chance to greet and see the Northern Hemisphere stars at close quarters.

Provinces say they will be robbed of a rare chance to give the game a lift because the Lions will be based in the three major cities and make only fleeting visits elsewhere.

The 11-match tour will be one of the biggest events staged in New Zealand, complete with the notorious Barmy Army and up to 20,000 touring fans. But the provinces believe first-hand involvement will largely pass them by.

They also say the Lions' players will be denied the true touring experience during the visit in June and July.

Woodward and tour manager Louise Ramsay will be in New Zealand for three days next week to check training facilities and other tour arrangements, and will be greeted by extreme disappointment over their whistle-stop plans.

The New Zealand Rugby Union was diplomatic when questioned by the Herald, but in private is certain to convey its disappointment.

There have been rumours, although no official word, of the schedule. However, a Lions spokeswoman, Louisa Cheetham, outlined the plans to the Herald. She said the Lions felt they were entering into the tour spirit by making the non-playing members available for "community work" on match days, and that Woodward was keen to promote the special nature of a Lions tour.

However, it seems what may be Lions meat is New Zealand rugby poison.

The Lions will base themselves at the test venues - Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. The playing teams will travel to the provinces the day before matches and leave the day after, while the non-playing Lions arrive on match days for "community work".

All matches will be played at night.

Waikato chief executive Gary Dawson described community activities on game day as "just a waste of time".

"Those plans are pretty much what we've also heard although our understanding is that nothing is finalised," said Dawson, whose union hosts the New Zealand Maori game on June 11.

"But that's the path it seems to be heading down and it's a big disappointment. We thought it was going to be a traditional Lions tour with them in town for three or four days. But it's obviously not going to be like that.

"We've made it pretty clear to New Zealand what our feelings are and this [Woodward's visit] is a last chance to get that message across.

"But the decision needs to be made quickly so we don't waste our time.

"They need to be up front - if it's not a traditional tour let's all understand that."

The plans rule out school visits in provinces such as Bay of Plenty and Waikato, who host Saturday games.

Bay of Plenty chief executive Paul Abbot said the tour was a "once in a lifetime experience" and his union was dismayed.

"We were banking on having them around for a few days, getting out and about to the schools and doing community stuff," said Abbot, whose union hosts the tour opener on June 4.

"Originally that was what we heard but it got knocked on the head pretty quickly. Every union will have hoped to have them for two or three days.

"That makes tours special and the people of Bay of Plenty have looked forward to hosting them. It's their only chance to ever brush up against people like Jonny Wilkinson.

"The Lions wouldn't be doing themselves any harm either. If you talk to guys who go on tour, they actually enjoy getting out there, seeing different things, rather than being cooped up in a hotel, although I'm sure it will be a very nice hotel."

Auckland will be the Lions' major base. They will spend their first 17 days there preparing for games against Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, the New Zealand Maori and Wellington.

They head to Christchurch for nearly two weeks, during which time they play Otago and Southland, Wellington for a week, which will include the Manawatu game, and then back to Auckland for the final provincial and test matches at Eden Park.

NZRFU assistant chief executive Steve Tew said: "We are hoping that by the time they leave, the country knows a lot more about the Lions and they know a lot more about the country."

* LIONS' ITINERARY

June 4: v Bay of Plenty, Rotorua.
June 8: v Taranaki, New Plymouth.
June 11: v NZ Maori, Hamilton.
June 15: v Wellington, Wellington.
June 18: v Otago, Dunedin.
June 21: v Southland, Invercargill.
June 25: v All Blacks, Christchurch.
June 28: v Manawatu, Palmerston North.
July 2: v All Blacks, Wellington.
July 5: v Auckland, Auckland.
July 9: v All Blacks, Auckland