A RISQUE advertisement for the British Lions Test series showing a wallaby in a compromising position with a lion is causing controversy in Australia.
The tongue-in-cheek ad for Sportsbet.com shows a wallaby standing behind a lion with the tagline “Rooting for the Wallabies”. It is intended to promote the upcoming Australian Wallabies rugby series with the touring British and Iron Lions.
The 170 metres wide by 90 metres tall ad has been painted across a field on the approach to Melbourne international airport and is visible from the sky. It is claimed by Sportsbet.com to be the world’s largest painting.
“What better way to get behind the Wallabies than to create a massive wallaby getting behind a lion?” said Sportsbet.com’s Haydn Lane.
Victoria’s Environment Minister Ryan Smith has said the ad is offensive and should be removed.
“It is totally inappropriate, we will be insisting that it is removed as a matter of priority,” he told the Melbourne Herald Sun.
The Wallabies play the Lions in the first of three Tests in Brisbane on Saturday.
(AAP Image)