Brumbies-Lions game goes up against State of Origin

Tickets are selling well and ACT Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson didn't know their clash against the British and Irish Lions was now going up against State of Origin III. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue That's how unconcerned Thomson was about taking on the Origin decider.

The NRL announced the Origin schedule on Monday, with game three of the men's series to be played on July 9. That's the same night the Brumbies take on the Lions at Canberra Stadium, as the Super Rugby Pacific side looks to emulate their famous victory in 2013. There'll be a legion of touring British rugby fans and Thomson was confident Canberrans would also turn out for the once-in-12-year event.



The last time the Lions were in town the Brumbies ran out 14-12 winners in front of 21,655 fans. The Brumbies celebrate beating the British and Irish Lions at Canberra Stadium in 2013. Picture by Melissa Adams Thomson was unconcerned about going up against what could be the Origin decider at Homebush as the NSW Blues look to defend their crown.

"Ticket sales are going well for the Brumbies-Lions game," Thomson told The Canberra Times . "It's the first I've heard of it [the clash] so no concerns whatsoever. "More than confident that a match like that that comes around once every 12 years will be very well supported.

" The next NSW men's Origin coach will be thrown straight into the deep end, with a series opener at Lang Park on May 28 awaiting Michael Maguire's successor. Game II will be in Perth on June 18. It comes as the NSW Rugby League continues to weigh up its next option, with another board meeting scheduled for this month.

Laurie Daley remains the frontrunner for the role, but would have to give up select roles with his chief employer the TAB to take up the job. Daley coached the Blues for five series between 2013 and 2017, winning two of seven matches at Suncorp Stadium against a dominant Maroons side. The series opener also looms as crucial for Queensland, given their poor record in Perth.

The Maroons have been beaten 38-6 and 44-12 in their two Origin matches at Perth Stadium, and can ill afford to go on the road 1-0 down in the series. Meanwhile, the NRL has opted to take the next step with women's Origin in 2025, playing a game at the Sydney Football Stadium for the first time. The series will again open on the Thursday night before Magic Round at Lang Park on May 1, before the clash at the Sydney Football Stadium two weeks later.

Newcastle will then host the series finale on May 29. Sydney last hosted a women's Origin match at Parramatta Stadium in 2023, when a crowd of 12,972 turned up. But head office has been buoyed by big crowds in Brisbane, Newcastle and Townsville last year, and wants to back the product at the 45,500-seat Sydney Football Stadium.

NSW have confirmed Kylie Hilder's four-year stint as coach is over after the Sky Blues only lifted the shield once in the past four years. with AAP. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy David Polkinghorne Sports journo Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times.

Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.

com.au Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job.

Email: [email protected].

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