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New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson has confirmed the All Blacks are in talks to play the Kangaroos in a potentially lucrative cross-code clash later this year.
Reports from Australia's Courier Mail emerged on Thursday stating the All Blacks and Mal Meninga's Australian rugby league team would meet in a hybrid international following "top-secret negotiations" between New Zealand Rugby and the National Rugby League.
As it stands, the All Blacks are scheduled to play the Wallabies in a four-match Bledisloe Cup series, with the first test pencilled in for October 10 and likely to be staged in Wellington, but this situation remains fluid while borders remain closed.During a wide-ranging conference call with media on Thursday, Robinson confirmed the Kangaroos match was also on the table.
"The concept of the All Blacks playing the Kangaroos later in the year, we must be very clear that our priority is we want the All Blacks to play international rugby for the remainder of the year and we've talked about the uncertainty associated with that," Robinson said.
"But absolutely we've had the option put to us of this hybrid game with the Kangaroos. It's one of many different scenarios in a unique year like this that we're considering, looking to be innovative and having a focus on trying to consider revenue-generating ideas at this time give then financial climate we're in.
Four years ago reports suggested the one-off match could generate each team $10 million.
"The last time New Zealand Rugby had an approach was in 2017 and at that stage for various reasons it wasn't taken any further. We're interested in learning more, as we are a whole range of things that are being put to us at the moment.
"We'll work that through and go through the proper process in terms of making a decision if we feel it's got merit to take it further."
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The All Blacks and the Kangaroos could face-off. Photo / Photosport
New Zealand's professional rugby resumption has, meanwhile, allowed NZR to save 25 per cent of its workforce. During lockdown NZR expected to shed half its staff but Super Rugby Aotearoa's resumption, and the flood of crowds to the opening four matches over the past two weekends, has lifted the financial burden somewhat.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12343030
Reports from Australia's Courier Mail emerged on Thursday stating the All Blacks and Mal Meninga's Australian rugby league team would meet in a hybrid international following "top-secret negotiations" between New Zealand Rugby and the National Rugby League.
As it stands, the All Blacks are scheduled to play the Wallabies in a four-match Bledisloe Cup series, with the first test pencilled in for October 10 and likely to be staged in Wellington, but this situation remains fluid while borders remain closed.During a wide-ranging conference call with media on Thursday, Robinson confirmed the Kangaroos match was also on the table.
"The concept of the All Blacks playing the Kangaroos later in the year, we must be very clear that our priority is we want the All Blacks to play international rugby for the remainder of the year and we've talked about the uncertainty associated with that," Robinson said.
"But absolutely we've had the option put to us of this hybrid game with the Kangaroos. It's one of many different scenarios in a unique year like this that we're considering, looking to be innovative and having a focus on trying to consider revenue-generating ideas at this time give then financial climate we're in.
Four years ago reports suggested the one-off match could generate each team $10 million.
"The last time New Zealand Rugby had an approach was in 2017 and at that stage for various reasons it wasn't taken any further. We're interested in learning more, as we are a whole range of things that are being put to us at the moment.
"We'll work that through and go through the proper process in terms of making a decision if we feel it's got merit to take it further."
The All Blacks and the Kangaroos could face-off. Photo / Photosport
New Zealand's professional rugby resumption has, meanwhile, allowed NZR to save 25 per cent of its workforce. During lockdown NZR expected to shed half its staff but Super Rugby Aotearoa's resumption, and the flood of crowds to the opening four matches over the past two weekends, has lifted the financial burden somewhat.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12343030
