Millar insists leagues allow Lions to rest

NEW International Rugby Board vice-chairman Syd Millar yesterday insisted the domestic leagues in the home countries must be prepared to alter their schedules to give the Lions every opportunity of success.

Millar, who was announced as Rob Fisher’s successor on Sunday, insists the Lions lost in Australia last summer because the players had been denied the necessary rest by a long and punishing domestic season.

Australia took the series 2-1 and immediately after the 10-match tour was over, coach Graham Henry called for changes ahead of the 2005 trip to New Zealand.