{"id":297379,"date":"2025-07-28T02:15:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T02:15:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/297379\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T02:15:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T02:15:10","slug":"lions-stars-earn-big-bonuses-after-series-win-over-wallabies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/297379\/","title":{"rendered":"Lions Stars Earn Big Bonuses After Series Win Over Wallabies"},"content":{"rendered":"

They\u2019ve conquered Melbourne. They\u2019ve lifted the trophy. Now the big question \u2013 how much are the 2025 Lions stars\u00a0actually\u00a0cashing in for donning that famous red jersey?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spoiler: They\u2019re not going home empty-handed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n

\u00a3100K PAYDAY FOR LIONS HEROES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thanks to a bumper new profit-sharing model, each of the 38 squad members is walking away with a\u00a0six-figure\u00a0sum \u2013 around\u00a0\u00a3100,000<\/strong>\u00a0for their efforts down under.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a record payout for a Lions tour \u2013 eclipsing the\u00a0\u00a380k<\/strong>\u00a0dished out in 2017 and absolutely smashing the\u00a0\u00a348k<\/strong>\u00a0earned during the Covid-era 2021 series (remember that awkward \u00a310k bonus clause for winning? Brutal\u2026).<\/p>\n

RUCK\u2019s Lions content is\u00a0powered by\u00a0ISUZU<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

BIG MONEY TOUR: HOW THE CASH STACKS UP<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s driving the surge?<\/p>\n

Simple. The 2025 tour is projected to generate\u00a0over \u00a310 million<\/strong>, and for the first time ever, the players are getting their cut.<\/p>\n

Forget the flat fees \u2013 this is\u00a0rugby\u2019s version of revenue share<\/strong>, and the Lions are all-in.<\/p>\n

PLAYER POWER WINS THE DAY<\/strong><\/p>\n

This historic shift didn\u2019t just fall from the sky. Credit goes to the combined muscle of the players\u2019 unions from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.<\/p>\n

Irish rep Simon Keogh summed it up:\u00a0\u201cAn agreement that\u2019s fair and collaborative.\u201d\u00a0Translation: the players pushed, and the Lions listened.<\/p>\n

LIONS BOSS: \u2018THIS IS FOR THE PLAYERS\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lions CEO Ben Calveley was full of praise, calling the deal a turning point that finally puts players front and centre.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the pinnacle of their careers,\u201d\u00a0Calveley said.\u00a0\u201cThis agreement reflects the value we place on them.\u201d<\/p>\n

And let\u2019s be honest \u2013 when you\u2019re putting your body on the line for one of the most iconic teams in sport, you\u2019ve earned every penny.<\/p>\n

Four Changes Andy Farrell Must Make for Lions\u2019 Third Test vs Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now, all eyes turn to the third Test. Here are four changes the Lions must make to finish the job in style.<\/strong><\/p>\n

#1. JAMES LOWE<\/p>\n

Despite a classy offload for Beirne\u2019s try and some composed moments, Lowe was error-prone under the high ball and defensively vulnerable once again. A mixed bag leaning heavily toward underperformance.<\/p>\n

BALLS 5\/10: <\/a><\/strong>\u201cOne good flicked offload to Gibson-Park. Spilled a high ball, early in the second half. Composed take and footwork, on 57 minutes. Great step and offload for Beirne\u2019s try. His best, and last, contribution of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Planet Rugby 4\/10:<\/a><\/strong> \u201cHis try assist was the highlight of an otherwise poor performance from the winger who missed three of his seven tackle attempts, conceded a penalty and struggled in the air. He is a big moments player and produced that with a brutal fend and offload, but far from a complete performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Telegraph 3\/10:<\/strong> \u201cLovely offload to put Beirne over but was another disappointing display. A liability once again in defence and several handling errors.\u201d<\/p>\n

RUCK 4\/10<\/strong>: \u201cLowe has looked off the tempo in both tests and today was another story of that. He never got going and was exposed hugely in defence. In attack he was nothing to fear for the Wallabies apart from his assist for Beirne.\u201d<\/p>\n

Replacement: <\/strong>Duhan van der Merwe <\/p>\n

CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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