Rugby fans could in for a treat as talks are underway for New Zealand’s All Blacks to take on Australia’s Kangaroos in a 14-a-side hybrid game.
Australia rugby league coach Mal Meninga has confirmed that negotiations have taken place for the one-off game to be staged later this year, with December 5th a potential date.
Meninga told the Courier Mail in Brisbane that there had been “serious negotiations” to set up the meeting of the two codes in order to recoup losses from the COVID-19 enforced shutdown.
"We are in serious negotiations," he said.
"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 proposed fixture is expected to take place three weeks after the State of Origin concludes, with venues in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney in line to host it.
New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson also confirmed negotiations were underway although NZR's priority is still to play as many rugby union Tests as possible before the end of the year.
"We have had an approach," he told media in New Zealand.
"We're interested in learning more and ... we will work that through and go through the proper process of making a decision if it has got merit to go further.
"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 given the financial climate that we're in."
If the game goes ahead, it would not be the first time the two codes have gone head to head.
In 1996, Bath took on Wigan in the Clash of the Codes but it was played over two games with one match played under league rules and the second match under union rules.
St. Helens faced Sale in 2003 in a single match with union rules in the first half and league rules in the second half.
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