New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson has confirmed talks are under way to stage a cross-code match between the All Blacks and the Kangaroos.
A report in the Courier Mail on Thursday claimed that a date – Saturday, 5 December – has been targeted for a 14-a-side hybrid union-league contest between the All Blacks and Kangaroos.
Robinson then moved to verify the report than 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.
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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 said.
‘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.’
Apart from the fact that game would be a compromised 14-a-side affair, other match details are still to be clarified but it potentially taking place in December is to accommodate prospective schedules of both teams. The top Australian league players have State of Origin commitments in November and the All Blacks had potentially played Test matches – most probably against the Wallabies, around the same time.
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.’
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Photo: Photosport
