New Zealand Rugby has confirmed talks are underway to stage a cross-code match between the All Blacks and the Kangaroos.
NZR chief executive Mark Robinson verified reports a historic hybrid game could take place later in the year as a money-making venture, bringing the pinnacle international teams from rugby union and rugby league together.
Robinson said the coronavirus pandemic had forced all sports to be innovative to address a financial hammering.
“We must be very clear that our priority is for the All Blacks to play international rugby for the remainder of the year and we’ve talked about the uncertainty around that,” Robinson told journalists.
“But we’ve had the option put to us of this hybrid game with the Kangaroos, and it’s one of many different scenarios in a unique year like this that we are considering with being innovative and having a focus on trying to consider revenue-generating ideas at this time.”
Some early reports suggest the game would be a compromised 14-a-side affair but other details of how the match would be played are still to be clarified.
Such a match would probably be played in December, when the top Australian players had completed their scheduled State of Origin commitments the previous month and the All Blacks had potentially played Test matches – most probably against the Wallabies.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga told the Courier Mail the concept had entered “serious negotiations”.
“This would take the Kangaroos to the world. There will be global recognition.
“I’m keen to make this happen. We want to play the All Blacks, hopefully, we can get the concept off the ground.”
Manly playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans – a 15-Test Kangaroo – said he was interested in taking part in such a contest.
“Anything like that, where there’s an opportunity to grow the game of rugby league and in particular at a time like now, I think it’s a great idea,” he said.
“I’ve always maintained I’ve love to play rep football for as long as I’m up for it. If my form provided to be there, I’d love to play something like that. It’d be unreal, great to look back on and experience something like that.”
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy said the match is one he’d enjoy watching but wasn’t sure how the rules would work.
“Someone said they’d have rugby union rules for one half and rugby league for another half,” he said.
“I wouldn’t like to be a rugby league player at the bottom of one of them mauls. That’d be an ugly place to be if you’re not used to it.”
yeah-nah
Roar Rookie
Without giving names, my family are heavily involved in rugby Corne. One current AB, an ex-AB who has coached London Irish, Scarlets, NZ Maori and a Mitre 10 team. We have an immediate family member in both t5he Crusaders and one in the Blues. I watch some NRL but I believe international league is a joke due to the eligibility rules. Players can literally play for whomever they want from one WC to the next - and in -between. My comment re. the lowly ABs was a sarcastic response to an earlier league supporter who used the number of WCs won by the Kangaroos (compared to ONLY 3 by the ABs) to claim Kangaroo superiority. This game-idea seems to have blown over for now- thank goodness. It is interesting to see that, having misinterpreted my comment/s, you conclude I 'seem' threatened and you add a not-so- subtle personal dig by labelling my thoughts as 'immature comments'. Do you always do this? Are you still feel better /satisfied/superior Corne?
Richie Walton
Roar Guru
They don’t they do they? They shred teams on turnover ball and disorganised defences.
G Len N
Roar Rookie
Gourley played 100 plus for St George and maybe 30 plus for Roosters. Definite 1 game for the Roos and maybe a run for the blues (I think). Hardley a failure. Rocky....I don’t recall. He played his best a rugby Europe.
piru
Roar Rookie
France, Scotland, Australia, Argentina, Japan, etc Those teams above are not competitive. They are losers. They are all capable of beating anyone on their day, that's what competitive means. If what you meant was 'will never win a world cup' well then we are back to the same argument that league is no better in that regard.
Azza
Guest
And the main game would be Springboks v Tonga Rugby League. Try to keep up jack.
Reedy
Guest
Scott Gourley the Wallaby? He was a failure in League. As was Wallaby captain Rocky Elson. Failed in League.
Matt
Guest
France, Scotland, Australia, Argentina, Japan, etc Those teams above are not competitive. They are losers. Maybe France could sneak in, but really their best days ended in 2011. They were good to great 60s 70s 80s and 90`s 2000`s.They are a Dud national team now due to French clubs being more important than them. They are just making up the numbers now. Scotland,, Argentina, Japan will never win a World cup and the Wallabies have no talent as all the cream goes to the NRL and AFL. The dregs are left for RA.
hutch
Guest
The reason the all blacks winning percentage is so good is because throughout history (and still to this day) the best rugby players on earth are playing a different code. It would be a lot different if they had to play the Great Britain lions teams of the past and the Australia kangaroos.
You seem threatened by Rugby Union, hence the immature comments.
Henry Bourne
Guest
Best comment on this subject is on the Bath v Wigan game and how Wigan beat them at their own game in the second half of the union game. Says it all. Case closed.
clipper
Roar Rookie
If league has dragged Rugby out of the dark ages, why are their playing ranks declining so rapidly - just look at England and especially France - it's really gone backward there
piru
Roar Rookie
How hard can it be to bend over and push in a scrum? 'Bend over' and push and you'll end up in a wheelchair
piru
Roar Rookie
League have 5 competitve teams OZ ENG TONGA NZ PNG Union have 5 competative teams SA NZ ENG WALES IRELAND France, Scotland, Australia, Argentina, Japan, etc
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Yep the aches and pains of experience....
Double Agent
Guest
I'd happily discard wisdom and experience to be young again!
Double Agent
Guest
"Let’s not give Kalyn Ponga any more ideas. He’s already interested in being an AB." I'm interested in being an All Black too but while ever Beauden Barrett is there I don't think Kalyn or me has much chance.
Hurles
Roar Rookie
Hmm not so sure about that jacko. I think you’re underestimating NRL talent. I can’t see the hybrid game being anymore than a game of rugby league with some slight modifications so it can be called hybrid. In which case the ABs would have to beat the best in the world at their own game. The structures and broken play attack that work on Union don’t work in league. At the same time I would love to see the AB’s inside backs with the extra 5-7 meters of space in attacking play. Could be very interesting.
Double Agent
Guest
I'd say they had average Wallaby careers. Especially Ryan Cross. Blink and you'd miss it.
Double Agent
Guest
My own boy played 9 for a decade and despite 10 years of practicing his pass endlessly only ever got about 70% as good as Aaron Smith. Despite being bigger and stronger.
Double Agent
Guest
I'm fairly sure the All Blacks have banked a big chunk of Rugby knowledge since they were schoolboys.