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The hybrid plan to fill the coffers
ADRIAN PROSZENKO AND GLENN JACKSON
May 23, 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...d-plan-to-fill-the-coffers-20100522-w32x.html
A clash between the codes is back on the agenda, write Adrian Proszenko and Glenn Jackson.
Multimillion-dollar contracts have been prepared which could make an historic hybrid conTest between the Kangaroos and the Wallabies a reality this October.
The Sun-Herald can reveal a consortium will present the NRL and ARU with contracts of up to $40million for a clash of the codes at ANZ Stadium.
The media consultant negotiating the NRL's next broadcast rights deal has been engaged to prepare a report into an event. Melbourne-based media expert Colin Smith believes the concept could draw more viewers than State of Origin and a one-off match could generate up to $4.8million in advertising revenue alone.
The development comes at a time when both codes face significant financial challenges, with the NRL under huge pressure to lift the salary cap and rugby officials struggling to revive flagging interest.
The concept is led by former rugby league first-grader and entrepreneur Phil Franks and has the backing of high-profile sporting identities Bob Fulton and Bob Dwyer. The pair are expected to oversee the development of the hybrid rules, which would be roadtested at school level by renowned rugby league and union schools.
Franks said a one-off game could generate at least $20 million - but possibly double that figure - part of which could be redistributed back to players by increasing the NRL salary cap. The former Penrith, Norths and Western Suburbs player is convinced at least $5 million could be funnelled back to the players of each code.
''It's worth a minimum of $20million; it could be worth $40 [million],'' Franks said. ''The majority of it would go to the clubs to assist with the salary cap. If it's done properly, it will definitely bear fruit.''
The proposed venue is ANZ Stadium and the match has been pencilled in for October, which fits into the calendar of both codes. An alternative date is early February next year.
Franks, a long-time proponent of the cross-code clash, believes the time is right to revisit the proposal with the NRL chief executive David Gallop and his ARU counterpart John O'Neill.
At a time when Gallop has charged NRL clubs with coming up with solutions to the salary cap crisis, the hybrid money-spinner has the potential to increase the salaries to disgruntled players.
Franks said the money could also be used to fast-track an independent commission by paying all monies owing to News Ltd following the settlement from the Super League war.
''This is something that could either fix up the salary cap or put the [independent] commission into a position to buy the game back for the people, which had been stolen by News Ltd,'' Franks said. ''We're saying 'This is what's in it'; they would be derelict in their duties to turn their back on it.''
The opportunity to witness Johnathan Thurston take on Matt Giteau, Greg Inglis mark Quade Cooper and Anthony Watmough tangle with Rocky Elsom is sure to capture the imagination of fans.
One of the many talking points is how to tinker with the rules to make it fair for players of both codes. Under the Hybrid 12 proposal, there would be:
❏ 12 players a side;
❏ Play-the-balls with a six-tackle limit while teams are in their defensive half of the field;
❏ ''Ruck and maul'' with unlimited recycling of the ball for the attacking team while they are in the attacking half of the field;
❏ To ensure the game is a genuine 12-man contest, the traditional rugby union front row would be scrapped, leaving a five-man scrum. The rules would ensure the most predictable parts from either code - the defensive kick in rugby union and the attacking one in league - would be eradicated.
Franks has held talks with Warriors coach Ivan Cleary and John Hart, the Warriors' executive director of football. The former All Blacks coach mooted the possibility of a clash between the Warriors and the Classic All Blacks - former New Zealand rugby union internationals - at Auckland's redeveloped Eden Park.
It's understood Queensland Reds captain and Wallaby James Horwill has also been canvassed for his thoughts on the proposal and provided positive feedback.
''I will never, ever give up on this,'' Franks said. ''I want Gallop to know that.''
HYBRID 12 IN A NUTSHELL:
12 players per side
Tries are worth four points and conversions are for two. Field goals and penalties are worth two points.
League play-the-ball rules when teams coming out of their own half. Six tackle limit.
Ruck and maul rules when teams enter opposition half with the football.
Contested five-man scrums. The traditional rugby front row to be taken out of the equation.
A place kick to start the game and for restarts.
Two referees to officiate, one from union and one from league.
Potential line-up
KANGAROOS
Billy Slater
Brett Morris
Greg Inglis
Israel Folau
Jarryd Hayne
Darren Lockyer
Johnathan Thurston
Petero Civoniceva
Cameron Smith
Luke Lewis
Sam Thaiday
Paul Gallen
Potential line-up
WALLABIES
Kurtley Beale
Drew Mitchell
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Quade Cooper
Digby Ioane
Matt Giteau
Will Genia
Wycliff Palu
David Pocock
Rocky Elsom
Dean Mumm
James Horwill
ADRIAN PROSZENKO AND GLENN JACKSON
May 23, 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...d-plan-to-fill-the-coffers-20100522-w32x.html
A clash between the codes is back on the agenda, write Adrian Proszenko and Glenn Jackson.
Multimillion-dollar contracts have been prepared which could make an historic hybrid conTest between the Kangaroos and the Wallabies a reality this October.
The Sun-Herald can reveal a consortium will present the NRL and ARU with contracts of up to $40million for a clash of the codes at ANZ Stadium.
The media consultant negotiating the NRL's next broadcast rights deal has been engaged to prepare a report into an event. Melbourne-based media expert Colin Smith believes the concept could draw more viewers than State of Origin and a one-off match could generate up to $4.8million in advertising revenue alone.
The development comes at a time when both codes face significant financial challenges, with the NRL under huge pressure to lift the salary cap and rugby officials struggling to revive flagging interest.
The concept is led by former rugby league first-grader and entrepreneur Phil Franks and has the backing of high-profile sporting identities Bob Fulton and Bob Dwyer. The pair are expected to oversee the development of the hybrid rules, which would be roadtested at school level by renowned rugby league and union schools.
Franks said a one-off game could generate at least $20 million - but possibly double that figure - part of which could be redistributed back to players by increasing the NRL salary cap. The former Penrith, Norths and Western Suburbs player is convinced at least $5 million could be funnelled back to the players of each code.
''It's worth a minimum of $20million; it could be worth $40 [million],'' Franks said. ''The majority of it would go to the clubs to assist with the salary cap. If it's done properly, it will definitely bear fruit.''
The proposed venue is ANZ Stadium and the match has been pencilled in for October, which fits into the calendar of both codes. An alternative date is early February next year.
Franks, a long-time proponent of the cross-code clash, believes the time is right to revisit the proposal with the NRL chief executive David Gallop and his ARU counterpart John O'Neill.
At a time when Gallop has charged NRL clubs with coming up with solutions to the salary cap crisis, the hybrid money-spinner has the potential to increase the salaries to disgruntled players.
Franks said the money could also be used to fast-track an independent commission by paying all monies owing to News Ltd following the settlement from the Super League war.
''This is something that could either fix up the salary cap or put the [independent] commission into a position to buy the game back for the people, which had been stolen by News Ltd,'' Franks said. ''We're saying 'This is what's in it'; they would be derelict in their duties to turn their back on it.''
The opportunity to witness Johnathan Thurston take on Matt Giteau, Greg Inglis mark Quade Cooper and Anthony Watmough tangle with Rocky Elsom is sure to capture the imagination of fans.
One of the many talking points is how to tinker with the rules to make it fair for players of both codes. Under the Hybrid 12 proposal, there would be:
❏ 12 players a side;
❏ Play-the-balls with a six-tackle limit while teams are in their defensive half of the field;
❏ ''Ruck and maul'' with unlimited recycling of the ball for the attacking team while they are in the attacking half of the field;
❏ To ensure the game is a genuine 12-man contest, the traditional rugby union front row would be scrapped, leaving a five-man scrum. The rules would ensure the most predictable parts from either code - the defensive kick in rugby union and the attacking one in league - would be eradicated.
Franks has held talks with Warriors coach Ivan Cleary and John Hart, the Warriors' executive director of football. The former All Blacks coach mooted the possibility of a clash between the Warriors and the Classic All Blacks - former New Zealand rugby union internationals - at Auckland's redeveloped Eden Park.
It's understood Queensland Reds captain and Wallaby James Horwill has also been canvassed for his thoughts on the proposal and provided positive feedback.
''I will never, ever give up on this,'' Franks said. ''I want Gallop to know that.''
HYBRID 12 IN A NUTSHELL:
12 players per side
Tries are worth four points and conversions are for two. Field goals and penalties are worth two points.
League play-the-ball rules when teams coming out of their own half. Six tackle limit.
Ruck and maul rules when teams enter opposition half with the football.
Contested five-man scrums. The traditional rugby front row to be taken out of the equation.
A place kick to start the game and for restarts.
Two referees to officiate, one from union and one from league.
Potential line-up
KANGAROOS
Billy Slater
Brett Morris
Greg Inglis
Israel Folau
Jarryd Hayne
Darren Lockyer
Johnathan Thurston
Petero Civoniceva
Cameron Smith
Luke Lewis
Sam Thaiday
Paul Gallen
Potential line-up
WALLABIES
Kurtley Beale
Drew Mitchell
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Quade Cooper
Digby Ioane
Matt Giteau
Will Genia
Wycliff Palu
David Pocock
Rocky Elsom
Dean Mumm
James Horwill
