New Zealand rugby bosses yesterday played down reports from Australia suggesting they will not be staging any part of the Lions' 2001 tour.

Strath Gordon, the Australian Rugby Union's communications manager, claimed that proposals for a three-Test Lions series in Australia were "firm".

Gordon said: "As far as the Australian Rugby Union is concerned, everything is in place, and we fully expect that the tour will be ratified by the IRB this April."

But the New Zealand RFU, scheduled to greet the Lions in 2005, said they were unaware of any such development after offering to share the 2001 tour itinerary with Australia.