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.
Rajiv Nanayakkara
Guest
I think rugby league would be more successfull if a hybrid game takesover league. Cus league is not very popular worldwide. League could be extinct.We need to grow the sport by mixing it with the more successfull one. Please dont bash me??
dr evil
Guest
we did all this crap 18 months ago. http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/st-augustines-college-defeats-keebra-park-state-high-school-in-hybrid-rugby-clash-at-brookvale-oval/story-e6frf4pu-1226054238646#.UOOOFxeX-xo The kids from both teams had generally played both sports so they weren't completely oblivious to rules of each code. I thought it was really a pretty pointless exercise. It was strange watching a combined league/union game. I was watching it and all I could think was If I wanted to watch a league game I'd watch a league game and if I wanted to watch a union game I'd watch a union game but this is just too jumbled up for me to get my brain around!
Ian
Guest
This is a stupid idea that comes up every year or so. The Kangaroos have so much more depth to choose from, so I would probably say have a better team of athletes. That being said Union is far to complicated (especially for the forwards) for League players just to walk in and succeed. Union players (as with most Australian sportsmen) understand the rules of League, but would in no way match up to the best team in the world. On the other hand the Kangaroos would be even worse against the Wallabies in a game of Union, due to their lack of knowledge of the rules of union. Conclusion: The Kangaroos would beat the Wallabies in a game of League, but the Wallabies would beat the Kangaroos by even more in a game of Union.
sledgeandhammer
Guest
Right, so league players are so big, bad and tough that the Wallabies would be smashed to a pulp in the first half? I'd say you have a lot of faith your self.
Jase
Guest
You have a lot of faith in the Wallabies eh. No turnovers etc etc etc. What games have you been watching. They turover, drop passes all the time. Do you think they'l keep hold of the ball with a shoulder charge coming at them or a gang tackle. I'de be suprised if after the first half of league there would be enough rugby players left to come back on the field for the second half. No marks in league just smash. 3/4 of the rugby team was injured this year how they gonna cope getting pounded to pulp for the first 40. I suspect the savy league guys would also bring Graeme Henry in for some coaching duties too. Put some more mind games into the already Wallabie mind set.
Snobby Deans
Guest
Simmo, I can appreciate the finer points of the proposal, however at the end of the day I just don't get what would be achieved by doing something like this. It's good to have your contribution here, mate, to help the vast majority of us who've replied, yet clearly haven't gotten the point of the article (at least not to your satisfaction).
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
I think a few too many of you are either taking this too seriously or not seriously enough for your usual approaches to the Rugby wars as a concept. Why is the notion of the hybrid code such a lead balloon? How could it possibly be the case that both sides would have to play entire halves or matches of the one code and then the other? A hybrid match would be an opportunity to see what one code thinks of the other ie a constructive exercise not a waste of time like two matches which won;t entertain the people they're hoping to. For example I heard of some of Kerry Packer's ideas about having a hybrid showpiece. Get rid of the rucks/malls...keep the lineout...that kind of thing. In terms of equality...both sides should have a certain number of picks in terms of the match's rules, sure let's invite the lawyers in....so serious, it should be about aiming for the one code to try (of course actual permanent solutions might be too difficult) to improve the other by taking away some of the baggage getting in the way!
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
Yeah I think 3 years ago there actually was another incarnation of this argument but that time over the Christmas holidays ;)
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
Sorry why do you think its a joke...again?
Jaredsbro
Roar Guru
Originated from? What...don't you know...Rugby Football was one of many footballs played at private schools, but unlike the private schools games which formed to make one super 'code' Rugby school rules refused, but it is if anything a co-originator of football. I think someone's been reading too much in 1825 William Webb Ellis did insert achieving articles.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
All it would take is some outstanding players to supplement the ranks because the current squads can and do cause the occasional upset, Italy beat France a few years ago (if memory serves).
Bakkies
Guest
In Australia it is. The NRL tv deal means nothing for league worldwide.
chuck
Guest
29/20 what a game`!! Sorry Tiger it would have as much credence as the world was going too end today 21 / 12/12 !!!!YAWN!!! any more theories how the wallabies can win
ThomasCrown
Roar Rookie
And yet the big three have 2 worldcups a piece land all up 4 nations have a Worldcup, one more than lLeagues world cup tally WOW. Im pretty sure your joking when u mention teams like Scotland, Italy, Samoa, Argentina having a chance to win the WOrldcup.
ThomasCrown
Roar Rookie
Six- Mate the NRL just secured a Billion dollar deal, they continue to set the tv rating records and all up the game is in the best shape its ever been, so im prettty sure there is no jealousy there. Alot of Rugby fans are always quick to point out the "International" aspect of the game because the domestic game is a complete joke. BTW LEague have got the 4nations tourno which wasnt played this year.
ThomasCrown
Roar Rookie
A League Fullback needs to be a 3rd playmaker that chimes in and out to keep the defense guessing, so unless Ione has a good play making game i would suggest Beale is better suited to FB and Ione on the wing as a power runner that works the ball away from the 20m line. The way Beale beats his man laterally is perfect for a League FB executing a play.
Chivas
Guest
And I apologise for my confusion. I thought you were commenting on people's knowledge of the tactical aspects of the game not the writing of the article. So my deepest apologies for any personal offence given any taken and for not realising you were commenting on the prose :-)
Chivas
Guest
Personally I think your lack of tactical knowledge of either code is what makes it interesting for you. What I expressed is how different they are and why it is like playing half a game of tiddley winks and half a game of marbles and about as interesting. Where spin comes in I don't know. It is my opinion. The question is do you with regards a merged game I mean.
simmo green
Guest
Someone else who either doesn't absorb what's being said or is too enthusiastic to smother us with his spin on things. Thanks for the blinding insights of those eight or so paragraphs, but I expressed an opinion about the quality of the piece, not a judgement about about the credibility of such a match
Malo
Guest
What about 3 tackles league style then on the 4th play metamorphises to rugby until the next stoppage say ball goes out knock on etc. Put me on the committee I will make this game work. QC will also find out how overpriced he is on the market and what a great deal he got when compared to the league stars.