Australia's Joe Schmidt Stands Firm Against Lions' Request to Release Wallabies Stars

The Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has responded to the British and Irish Lions management, stating that Australia is following the tour agreement by not releasing front-line players for pre-Test games. The players are preparing to face Fiji on Sunday week, causing them to be unavailable for the Lions fixtures against the Reds, the Waratahs, and the Brumbies.

The Lions chief executive, Ben Calveley, expects Schmidt to release Wallaby players for their Super Rugby franchises' games against the touring team. However, due to scheduling conflicts with the warm-up Test against Fiji, Australia's top players will not be available for the Lions games.

Schmidt clarified that the tours agreement does not require every Wallaby player to be available for every Lions game. He emphasized the need to have the best players ready for the Test series against the Lions. Schmidt also noted that the Lions do not field their first-choice squad in every game.

Lower-profile and recently injured Wallabies are expected to feature against the Lions, while frontline stars will be rested. Schmidt highlighted that most players set to face the Lions were part of the wider squad, and some may return to their Super Rugby teams depending on training progress.

According to the source: The Guardian.