Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) has held preliminary talks about hosting a British and Irish Lions match before the tour of Australia in 2013, local media reported Saturday.
The former British colony, home to the world's most famous sevens tournament, hosted a highly-successful and lucrative Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand two years ago and will host another later this year.
"The HKRFU has had discussions with the British and Irish Lions regarding hosting a match as part of the tour of Australia in 2013," union chairman Trevor Gregory told the South China Morning Post.
"We understand the Lions are looking at different options but we believe Hong Kong would make a great host for such an historic match.
"The Lions have a unique heritage in international sport and Hong Kong is a proven venue for making rugby history..."
A Lions match in Hong Kong would most likely be played against a Barbarians XV, the report said.
Although the Lions tour each of rugby powers —New Zealand, South Africa and Australia — at four-yearly intervals, they have in the past played neighbouring countries before or after the main tour.
