Code war articles have been identified by many Roarers as a cheap grab for comments, so I generally try to avoid instigating a debate between fans of different sports.
However, considering the proposed hybrid rugby union/league game between the Wallabies and the Kangaroos is back on the agenda, a debate between the two codes fans is going to be hard to avoid.
A few weeks ago, The Roar reported that the historic match between Australia’s national rugby union and rugby league teams, the Wallabies and Kangaroos, was significantly closer to becoming a reality.
Hybrid Code Pty Ltd, the organisers of the match, have struck a formal agreement for the game to be played at ANZ Stadium in Homebush. Broadcast rights discussions have begun with Channel 9, and the NSW government has also been engaged to ensure the match moves past the stage of simply being an idea, and into reality.
Whilst the ARU and NRL have yet to formally agree to the concept, the knowledge that the game is estimated to generate up to $40 million, with each organisation receiving approximately $10 million each, ensures that their participation is all but confirmed. Neither business is in a position to knock back that sort of money.
But apart from filling the financial coffers, what’s the point of the game?
Don’t get me wrong, the concept is so intriguing that it would generate enormous interest. There is absolutely no doubt that the game would sell-out and be a television ratings winner. I certainly wouldn’t miss it.
But what benefit, other than financial, is there to rugby union and rugby league? What would the two codes gain from the spectacle?
I personally think they have a lot more to lose than anything else.
Firstly, subjecting Australia’s best footballers to an additional representative fixture is filled with danger. If a key player for either side should sustain a serious injury in what is nothing more than a glorified exhibition match, the governing bodies will have metaphorical blood on their hands.
And make no mistake, whatever rules the game is eventually played under, there will be situations during the game when an elite athlete is put in a position they are not used to, and therefore susceptible to serious injury.
Nowhere else will this be more evident than with the technical aspects of rugby union: contested scrums, line-outs, and ruck and mauls. With the rugby league players unaccustomed to these elements of the game, the risk of injury to both sides would be significant.
And apart from the very rational issue of injuries, there is the issue of the potential damage a loss could do to either code.
Perhaps I’m prone to a touch of hyperbole here, but won’t the actual loser of the game on the scoreboard suffer irreparable damage to their game’s ‘brand’? Let’s face it, some serious bragging rights are on the line, and the winning side will ensure they reap as much benefit from the victory as possible.
The losing code will be subjected to intense media scrutiny, especially from the piranha-like tabloid papers who love a sensational headline and story.
And the barbs from opposing fans, now armed with what they feel will be the ultimate ‘ammunition’ in the code war, will be near on unbearable for the conquered sport.
I personally love both codes, and feel that anyone who feels they need to choose just one is completely mad and simply robbing themselves of enjoying two great games.
Whilst in reality the result won’t mean anything, and will certainly fail to resolve the pointless and stupid argument of which sport is better, there are plenty of one-eyed fans out there who will consider the victor the official winner of the code war.
Would the vanquished code lose the respect of the media and public after they lose? Will impressionable kids decide which is the better sport, and therefore the one they will play, based on who wins the epic encounter between the Wallabies and Kangaroos?
I’m probably over-estimating the impact a loss would have on either sport. I’m sure Roarers will let me know about it if I am. But I honestly can’t help but feel that neither code is currently in a position to gamble on the bad headlines, press and pub talk that would accompany a loss.
Both codes have a lot to lose from participating in the hybrid game. When you weight it all up, you do have to ask the obvious question of why play the match?
If it’s just for the money, I’m fairly certain there are better ways to generate revenue.
Damo
Guest
Congratulations Ryan. You succeeded to avoid something that I thought was inevitable- a nasty codewar thread. Well done. It seemsthe two cultures are starting to talk to each other. Or were most of them asleep?
amband
Guest
and like gridiron, only played on one nation. Waste of time
amband
Guest
yes they do
amband
Guest
there was only one sport until 1908 when disgruntled rugby union players started rugby league Union, to one degree or another is worldwide. League is not. I can't imagine the union world being convinced to change the games laws so one code can be played in Oz League will need to go under, to dissolve. Long time coming. I think a single sport replacing 2 codes is nigh on impossible IMHO until then, someone will put forward silly ideas like a hybrid game
sheek
Guest
Krash/Mario, I was basically just concentrating on the 4 footy codes played in Australia, & their (almost) mirror image in the rest of the world. But yes, American football may well be the 3rd most popular football code in the world. Based purely on their population, it could even be 2nd, but I haven't seen any figures.....
Lieutenant Blood
Guest
Are you talking only about the Professional NFL, 32 teamsd for 310 million, with average crowds of 66,960 fans per game in 2010–11(the highest crowd average of any sport in the world) or are you incluing the shamateur NCAA football, of which there are over 100 Div 1A(top tier) teams, many of which are as popular as NFL teams in their areas. In Oklahoma for instance, there is no NFL team, but the Oklahoma Sooners and the OSU cowboys get so much attention that on game day, the university town of Norman, OK, (popn 110,925) home of the Sooners becomes that states 3rd largest cit(behind OKC & Tulsa) y by population as the Sooner faithful fill Memorial stadium(85k) to watch the Crimson & Cream do their thing in the chase for the FBS crystal football(NCAA championship) Hell even with the Texans and the Cowboys, the state of Texas has 10 x NCAA Div1A football programs to support.
A1
Guest
That's the most intelligent comment on here. Great idea.
A1
Guest
Actually, the general consensus is that the game is stupid. Which makes it obvious as to how your opinion should be categorised.
brad
Guest
If it was a friendly match played for charity im all for it. But a serious full on game??? League split from union in 1885 lets keep it that way. Most people are fans of both codes. One has a domestic club heritage in Australia more then the other but I still watch both. How bout they just play a tri code tournament of cricket and give the money to charity. This is stupid I hope it never happens, doubt nrl would put there stars in the game either would union.
Timnaik
Guest
Why don't the two codes just play each other over three matches? One league match, one union match and a hybrid.
SA
Guest
What about rugby 10's? Its played alot in South Africa for fitness and in the off season. 5 fowards - 2 props, hooker, 2 locks (2nd rows) scrum half flyhalf 2 wings playing in field and a full back The rules are very thin in this game set up and follow many of the 7's rules and the scrums are uncontested. there are lineouts as well.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Someone is making up big numbers that sound good. Wake me up when any actual *players* agree to play.
Katipo
Guest
Good idea. These guys backing the hybrid game could think about supporting a national rugby 7's circuit too. That's spin a few wheels.
Katipo
Guest
These union v league games happened a few times prior to rugby turning professional. In those days the teams played one half of union and one half of league; alternatively one full match of union and one full match of league. generally the honours were shared. It didn't prove anything... but yeah let the NRL challenge the ARU to a game of rugby union. BTW I stood next to Darren Lockyer at the airport last week. He's about 5 foot 7 in his heels. Looks much bigger on TV. No way he could have made it in modern rugby union (except as a little winger like Shane Williams perhaps or a Super level player). Just sayin'
Dan
Guest
There's actually a fair argument in some ways that, due to sheer population density, American Football is bigger than Rugby... when you consider that America is a country with 300 million plus people and American football is the dominant code, you could make a strong case that the NFL and it's super bowl is more representative of a larger group of people - and more competitive - than the Rugby World Cup (let alone the League "World Cup").
Emric
Guest
Back to wing-forwards days Brett :)
Emric
Guest
Wallaby forward pack Kanga Backline take on All Black Forward pack with kiwi backline? in union and then kiwi forward pack with All black backline and kanaga forward pack with wallaby backline in a league game (week 2?)
Emric
Guest
I was thinking the same thing ..
Mark
Guest
Brett, your the mickey mouse, this game would be very interesting. As much as you fools say it's a joke, you lot would all watch it. As I would try to spot which union players are more suited to league and vice versa. This game is a great money spinner for both codes and would be considered as a complete All Stars game of hybrid rugby. Anyone who can't see the positives to this really need to look further than your nose!!!! "Injuries" is the word that most have used........so what!!!! These guys know the risks, give them the choice of whether they want to play. COTTON WOOL PLAYERS!! Just as bad as the school in Brisbane banning chasing games in the school yard. Everyone has a write to an opinion, but good god there's some stupid opinions here!!!!! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
peter
Guest
I don't agree at all why not have the game, as a rugby league fan I would live to see how the league boys would fair out wit& the running game , the scrum would be a problem but by making the scrum smaller and changing the lineout, keep t*e shouler barge and let them go at it, would u not love to see billy slater charging at the defence and all the tricks that go with it? It would be a great occasion and I would love to see it