The Participant of the Match medal for the British and Irish Lions’ recreation versus an Invitational Australia & New Zealand facet on the Adelaide Oval on July 12 will probably be named in honour of former participant and World Battle 1 hero Blair Swannell. This match will probably be performed earlier than the primary of three Exams throughout this summer season’s tour.
Swannell is one among simply two gamers to play for each the Lions and Australia and shares the file for probably the most Take a look at wins by a single Lion, together with his six wins from seven capped appearances matching the feat of Froude Hancock.
In 1899, he was chosen to play for the Lions towards Australia, making him not solely Northampton’s first Lion, however first worldwide. He went on to play a complete of 32 video games for the Lions, spanning two excursions.
Following the 1904 Lions tour, Swannell remained in Sydney to show and coach at St Joseph’s Faculty. He performed for Sydney District, Northern Suburbs, and New South Wales earlier than being capped by the Wallabies in 1905 towards New Zealand in Dunedin.
Swannell is being commemorated for not solely his deeds on a rugby pitch on both facet of the world, but in addition for his army service. Having earlier served within the Boer Battle, when World Battle One got here in 1914 Swannell joined the first Battalion, Australian Infantry and was promoted to the rank of main. Swannell landed on the primary day of the Gallipoli Marketing campaign on 25 April 1915 and was killed whereas main his males that very same day. He’s buried there in Child 700 Cemetery.
Tour Supervisor and Chair of the Lions, Ieuan Evans MBE, mentioned: “We’re delighted to recognise the excellent achievement of Blair Swannell.
“To play for each the British & Irish Lions and the Wallabies is one thing that has solely been achieved by two gamers within the historical past of the Lions, and we felt it was necessary to mark his legacy throughout this summer season’s Tour to Australia.
“The match between the Lions and the Invitational Australia & New Zealand facet will probably be a novel encounter, and it’s a becoming reflection of Blair’s rugby profession to honour his contribution throughout this fixture.”
Rugby Australia CEO, Phil Waugh, added: “On the battlefield and sporting area, Blair Swannell holds a novel place in Australian and British historical past, having represented each nations militarily and in rugby.
“It’s with deep honour and respect that Rugby Australia and The British & Irish Lions recognise Blair’s extraordinary life this Anzac Day – 110 years to the day since he made the final word sacrifice on the shores of Gallipoli – by commissioning an award in his title for this 12 months’s historic Lions tour.
“The Participant of the Match medal for the AUNZ v Lions match at Adelaide Oval will probably be awarded to the footballer who finest exemplifies ability, braveness and dedication, the very traits that outlined Blair on either side of the world.”
