Bad Billy
Squad Member
The All Blacks and the Kangaroos are set to face off in a 14-a-side hybrid game later this year for the first time in history.
The Courier Mail reports that a date – Saturday, December 5 – has been targeted for the contest.
The suggestion of a hybrid game has long been floated, but never got off the ground.
In English sport, rugby union’s Bath and league giants Wigan have played out the Clash of the Codes where they each faced one another in consecutive weeks but both sides hosted their own code.
Now, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has urged league figures to make it happen and which would pit Australia against the iconic All Blacks.
“We are in serious negotiations,” he said. “This would take the Kangaroos to the world. There will be global recognition. We are still in talks but obviously news of this has got out.
“I’m keen to make this happen. We want to play the All Blacks, hopefully we can get the concept off the ground.
“The best from our game versus the best from the New Zealand game … let’s do it.”
The Kangaroos beat New Zealand but were humbled by Tonga in their two end-of-season Tests in 2019.
They were supposed to travel to play England in a three-Test Ashes series later this year before the coronavirus enforced the cancellation of the proposed tour.
The proposed All Blacks fixture is expected to take place three weeks after State of Origin concludes, with a host of Australia’s top sporting venues including Suncorp stadium in Brisbane, Optus Stadium in Perth and Sydney’s ANZ Stadium in the frame to host it.
The Courier Mail reports that a date – Saturday, December 5 – has been targeted for the contest.
The suggestion of a hybrid game has long been floated, but never got off the ground.
In English sport, rugby union’s Bath and league giants Wigan have played out the Clash of the Codes where they each faced one another in consecutive weeks but both sides hosted their own code.
Now, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has urged league figures to make it happen and which would pit Australia against the iconic All Blacks.
“We are in serious negotiations,” he said. “This would take the Kangaroos to the world. There will be global recognition. We are still in talks but obviously news of this has got out.
“I’m keen to make this happen. We want to play the All Blacks, hopefully we can get the concept off the ground.
“The best from our game versus the best from the New Zealand game … let’s do it.”
The Kangaroos beat New Zealand but were humbled by Tonga in their two end-of-season Tests in 2019.
They were supposed to travel to play England in a three-Test Ashes series later this year before the coronavirus enforced the cancellation of the proposed tour.
The proposed All Blacks fixture is expected to take place three weeks after State of Origin concludes, with a host of Australia’s top sporting venues including Suncorp stadium in Brisbane, Optus Stadium in Perth and Sydney’s ANZ Stadium in the frame to host it.
