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For one to say rugby league and rugby union have been great friends through history, you’d need a pretty hopeful view of the battle lines that have traditionally been drawn between the two.
Tradtitionally, the Pauls, Bozos, Blockers, Peters and Zorbas quickly assumed the high ground and never missed an opportunity to tee off on rugby union.
They encouraged popular notions of fat tight heads, ‘tackle shy’ wingers, kicking in general play, the game’s ‘obsession’ with penalties and of course that all private school kids were ‘soft’.
Often, these anti-rugby editorials would reach a predictable crescendo with a proclamation that ‘the Kangaroos would smash the Wallabies’, were they to ever meet. Inevitably there followed a discussion about a ‘hybrid’ game, but more on that later.
I want to venture where these pundits were not prepared to go. I want to theorise not so much about outcomes, but about what shape such a game might provide and how players might react and perform in unfamiliar circumstances.
My game model is straight forward, one half of league, one half of rugby. The 13 starting Wallabies must include either both props or both locks at all times. That format largely diminishes the potential for excuses and qualifications.
Our first half is league and for the Wallaby eight, in fact make that six, this represents the afternoon’s greatest challenge.
Field position is king and is gained through momentum, provided by quick play the balls and mobile forwards fulfilling their uncomplicated duties. Run hard, run straight, your primary mission lies beyond the advantage line.
Ben Alexander, Benn Robinson and the locks will be largely ineffective here, so David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu and Tatafu Polota-Nau will have to work overtime, as will the interchange manager.
Will Genia will be effective at dummy half however and should provide occasional relief for the bigger guys.
The Wallabies won’t make consistently good metres but should at least, with set completion, have their opponents restarting from their own 22.
Robbie Deans’ better option may be to dispense with accepted practice and just explore width from the outset, where James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale et al might just shine.
Defence will be a problem for the Wallabies, not in terms of technique, but rather organisation. Good line speed to contact, retreat ten metres, repeats this process at a lightning pace and under pressure (the lack of wrestling technique will really compromise the rugby boys here). You can’t help feeling the tight five will struggle in this area and that the Kangaroos will cultivate a lot of opportunities in the primary channels.
League lacks a set piece mentality, rather it uses motion and deception when the ball makes its way out wide and I’d expect the Wallabies to handle this style of attack a little better, given their defence can be highly organised and adaptable. There are any number of set piece moves in rugby that are harder to defend than constant decoy plays
It’s half time and I see the Kangaroos leading 20-0, courtesy of three converted tries and – God forbid – a penalty!
Coach Tim Sheens needs to field two more players now and I’m betting he’s looking to start a Greg Bird and/or a Ryan Hoffman, players that can probably adapt quickly to the rigours and physicality of the breakdown.
Cooper Cronk slots in nicely at 9, with Johnathan Thurston, one of the best playmakers in either code, wearing the 10. Tony Williams finds himself at 12, with Greg Inglis reverting to a role in the line, at 13.
The Kangaroos’ greatest challenge will be retaining possession and I foresee that poor support play and an inability to manage post-contact will see them surrendering possession or being penalized for not releasing/playing the ball.
They will not appreciate the proximity of 15 defenders, who will be some ten or so metres closer than they’re used to. They may decide to go wide, not a bad strategy, but one where the runners are likely to be isolated and again surrender possession.
How will the Roos handle their defensive duties? They’ll be ferocious, physical and effective, but that’s just part of the process. How will they engage in the contest for possession? Are they willing to subject themselves to the sort of punishment that Richie McCaw and Pocock expose themselves to weekly?
It’s likely that the Wallabies won’t concede any turnovers. The attacking structure of the Wallabies from the set piece will cause havoc. The Roos are not used to defending against moves that involve several backs running direct, attacking lines. Kurtley and Digby Ioane will be itching to run ‘dummy unders’ and other well-crafted moves.
And so we come to the set pieces. In rugby league the scrum is nothing more than a social gathering, in rugby it’s a test of strength and technique. More than that, it’s an old fashioned expression of physical dominance, where bragging rights are highly regarded.
In the interests of safety, the Wallabies will de-power their scrum, yet ensure they keep their own ball and pinch a few tight heads from the Roos. The lineouts will be controlled to the same extent, with the Wallabies keen to introduce Sheens’ boys to the 20 metre drive.
The Wallabies will peg back the score 20 – 9 through penalties and then keep the ball in hand. They will be looking to run multiple phases, compress the league boys’ defence and then use their width advantage.
I’d expect three tries and a couple of conversions, with a likely final score of 29-20.
The notion of playing a ‘hybrid’ game defeats the purpose of the contest. The games are built upon historical foundations that shape their very nature. Tampering with long established laws and conventions to appease the tabloid press and the needs of assorted media celebrities should be out of the question
I’d love to see this contest. It would silence the ignorant, something the fans of both codes deserve.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.