0 
0 A trans-Tasman Test team made up of Wallabies and All Blacks stars could be on the cards when the British and Irish Lions tour Australia in 2025.
Talks are underway to establish an Anzac team that would act as a precursor to matches between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions.
A Pacific all-comers team is also in the works, with players from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea to face three Super Rugby Pacific sides – the Waratahs, Reds, and Brumbies.
Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand
Speaking on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven, Tim Horan revealed his Anzac XV dream team (pictured below) made up of seven Australians and eight New Zealanders.
If the concept does come to fruition, it would be the first time since 1989 that an Anzac team has played.
EXCLUSIVE: 20 year ‘curse’ still plaguing Waratahs in search for perfect 10
MORGAN TURINUI: The ‘scary’ truth about Larkham’s next gen Brumbies
READ MORE: Manchester City ‘machine’ smashes near 100 year record
That year, the British and Irish Lions won 19-15 at Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium.
Key to the success of an Anzac clash with the British and Irish Lions is scheduling, according to Horan.
“I’d love to see it work,” said Horan.
“It happened in 1989 when the Lions came out. It was sort of the unofficial fourth test.
“The hard thing about it is where you schedule the game and I think Rugby Australia are talking to the Kiwis (New Zealand Rugby) at the moment about this potential game.
“How can you fit it in? I don’t think you should play it after the third test because after the third test, the moment’s gone.”
A potential stumbling block of a mid-tour match is New Zealand hosting France in a three-match Test series.
He also argued there needs to be a balance between players on both sides of the ditch, making a curtain-raiser the more likely option.
“I don’t know whether you can do it in between the test matches because the All Blacks will be playing France at the same time – so maybe early on,” Horan explained.
“In those days, I think we only had three or four Kiwis that came to play, so if it’s going to be a real Anzac team, you get the best players from the All Blacks.
“All Blacks buy in if the Wallabies buy in and then they’ll share the gate, but also I think Rugby Australia would potentially put some money into the Pacific Islands as well.”
NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles revel in the Drua’s famous win and Aussie export Mack Hansen setting the Six Nations alight again
With the Waratahs, Reds, and Brumbies all accounted for in the Pacific all-comers matches, there are questions about how the Force and Rebels may factor in.
The last British and Irish Lions tour saw the visitors play every Australian Super Rugby team.
“I love the concept,” said former Wallabies international Morgan Turinui.
“I understand the realities financially all around it. Of course, we’ve got two Super Rugby teams in the Western Force and the Melbourne Rebels who they’re talking about maybe missing out.
“Does that mean they’ll get a test match? Is that enough? How does that tour work? It’s an interesting one. I agree. You’ve got to play that before the test series.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here
Eddie Jones’ remarkable career in pictures: Hooker, teacher and master coach improbably leads Wallabies again
