The All Blacks In ‘Secret’ Talks For Special, Unprecedented Exhibition Match

Hybrid clash.

The All Blacks and the Kangaroos are set to face off in an unprecedented 14-a-side hybrid exhibition game later this year with The Courier Mail reporting that Saturday, December 5 – has been targeted for the contest.

A hybrid Rugby Union/Rugby League contest has been floated a number of times in recent weeks in a bid to raise some much-needed funds following the ongoing crisis across the world that has hit crippled sport financially.

Bath and Rugby League giants Wigan have previously played out the Clash of the Codes where they each faced one another in consecutive weeks but both sides hosted their own code with a hybrid clash never taking place.

Talks have been ongoing secretly by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has now confirmed discussions after the news was leaked.

“We are in serious negotiations,” Meninga 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 proposed All Blacks fixture is expected to take place three weeks after State of Origin concludes, with a number of Australian venues being considered including Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Optus Stadium in Perth and Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

NZR chief executive Mark Robinson also confirmed talks are ongoing.

“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.”

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