LONDON – The June tour by the British and Irish Lions will cut a swathe through the 2013 Super Rugby season, disrupting and potentially distracting Australian clubs trying to atone for last year’s disappointing performances.
Sapa
Only one Australian club — the 2011 champion Queensland Reds — reached the playoffs of last season’s tournament as injuries raised issues of depth and experience which reverberated through Australia’s international season.
The Lions tour will severely test the strength of Australian rugby, but the Super Rugby competition will more thoroughly examine its health, showing whether it can continue to support five clubs without too heavily diluting its talent.