The British & Irish Lions management "called for a rethink on tour scheduling" following the team’s "sluggish" opening display on Saturday, according to Robert Kitson of the London GUARDIAN. The Lions hierarchy said that the squad needs "more time to prepare," having been required to play its opening game within 80 hours of arriving in New Zealand. Tour Manager John Spencer remained "confident his players will swiftly improve" but he wants this Lions squad to be the "last to embark on a major series on the opposite side of the world within a week of the domestic season ending." There are also "those who believe the Lions should reduce the amount of corporate and community work they do and allocate more time to their rugby." Spencer hopes the Lions will be allocated a "more helpful slot" in the global timetable from '21 onward. He said, "We have always been disappointed in the preparation time. It is arranged for us and we have to take our lot. We hope that, when the global calendar is eventually resolved, just once every four years we will get an extra week at home" (GUARDIAN, 6/4).