Skip to content

All Blacks in talks with Kangaroos for 'union vs league' code clash

Beauden Barrett of New Zealand celebrates with Rieko Ioane as he scores his team's second try during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Bronze Final match between New Zealand and Wales at Tokyo Stadium on November 01, 2019 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said on Thursday it is interested in a proposal that would see the All Blacks take on Australia's Kangaroos in a 'union vs league' clash.

The match has been mooted for December 5 as both codes look to generate much-needed revenue in the wake of the coronavirus shutdown.

"We have had an approach," NZR Chief Executive Mark Robinson told reporters on a conference call on Thursday.

"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."

Mal Meninga coach of the Kangaroos looks on during the International Rugby League Test Match between the Australian Kangaroos and the New Zealand Kiwis at WIN Stadium on October 25, 2019 in Wollongong, Australia.
Image: Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said 'serious negotiations' are underway

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga told Australian media earlier on Thursday he was keen on the idea for the game, which would involve 14 players on each team.

No other details on what rules the game might be played under have been released.

"We are in serious negotiations," Meninga told the Courier Mail newspaper.

Also See:

"This would take the Kangaroos to the world. There will be global recognition.

during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final between the Australian Kangaroos and England at Suncorp Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia.
Image: The Kangaroos are the reigning world champions of rugby league

"The best from our game versus the best from the New Zealand game... let's do it."

While NZR was interested in the idea, Robinson said it was one of many opportunities presented to his organisation as they seek to recoup lost revenue following the COVID-19 shutdown and with international rugby in doubt for the rest of the year.

Robinson added that the priority was to get the All Blacks playing rugby union Tests but it was too early to determine how the Bledisloe Cup Tests against the Wallabies or the southern hemisphere's Rugby Championship would be played out.

"We're not still not able to finalise anything yet," he said. "There are still a lot of issues around a trans-Tasman bubble, the border and quarantine."

Around Sky