All Blacks v Kangaroos: Secret talks for cross-code blockbuster

After a decade of speculation around hybrid concepts between the Wallabies and Kangaroos that never took off, this is the real deal - Mal Meninga’s side up against one of world sport’s most iconic teams.

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THE New Zealand All Blacks and Mal Meninga’s Australia Kangaroos are set to make sporting history by squaring off in a multi-million dollar, cross-code Christmas blockbuster this year.

News Corp Australia can reveal New Zealand Rugby and the National Rugby League are in top-secret negotiations to stage a hybrid, 14-a-side international in one of the most significant moments in the 150-year history of trans-Tasman sport.

The cross-code spectacular will be branded and marketed as ... HISTORY.

The concept has been kept secret for the past three months but it can today be revealed the NZR and NRL are locked in talks with promoters to pit All Blacks players against Kangaroos stars before Christmas this year.

The contest has been slated for Saturday, December 5 — three weeks after this year’s State of Origin series.

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The Kangaroos could take on the All Blacks in a cross-code blockbuster.

After a decade of speculation around hybrid concepts between the Wallabies and Kangaroos that never took off, this is the real deal.

The NZR want the game to happen and are so supportive they discussed the Kangaroos blockbuster at a board meeting yesterday.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has been in talks with ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys, who has received a formal proposal and is dissecting the financials around the proposed Kangaroos-All Blacks concept.

Meninga today confirmed the proposed All Blacks-Kangaroos clash.

“We are in serious negotiations,” he 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.”

Beauden Barrett on the charge for the All Blacks. Picture: Richard Wainwright/AAP

The All Blacks are one of the most iconic brands in world sport, while the Kangaroos are the reigning World Cup holders in rugby league with a tradition that is 112 years old.

Now the trans-Tasman sporting powerhouses are ready to collide in one of the most compelling sporting contests of the past 50 years.

Venues are being discussed with Queensland’s Suncorp Stadium, Sydney’s ANZ Stadium, Perth’s Optus Stadium and South Australia’s Adelaide Oval among the leading options to host the cross-code spectacular.

Meninga has urged V’landys to give the game the green light.

Meninga is a huge supporter of the concept and last week consulted Australian players on whether they would be interested in playing a one-off Test against New Zealand.

What Kangaroos players weren’t aware of is that the proposed end-of-year Test is against the New Zealand … All Blacks.

James Tedesco in action for the Kangaroos. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The COVID-19 crisis has decimated the revenue streams of the NZR and the NRL, another reason why New Zealand Rugby powerbrokers are keen to play the Kangaroos considering the millions that would be generated.

“The Tongan rugby league wants to play a league Test against Australia this year but Meninga is keen to take the Kangaroos to a global audience of more than one billion people by taking on the All Blacks.”

V’landys received an initial offer on Monday with the ARL Commission expected to make a final decision in the next fortnight.

But if the NZR agree to sign on the dotted line, which appears a certainty, that will almost certainly convince V’landys to follow suit.

THE FIVE BIG MATCH-UPS

Here are some of the headline acts for a proposed All Blacks v Kangaroos hybrid game.

1. Beauden Barrett v James Tedesco - Barrett is an 83-Test wizard who has sharp footwork and a superb passing game. Capable of playing five-eighth or fullback, Barrett would relish going toe-to-toe with Kangaroos sensation Tedesco. The Roosters fullback is the NRL’s No.1 player and would terrorise the big All Blacks forwards with his footwork and tackle-busting power in midfield.

2. Sam Cane v Boyd Cordner - The two skippers. The 103kg Cane is a loose forward who is captain of the All Blacks and Waikato and inspires with his leadership. Cordner is a two-time premiership-winner at the Roosters who would keep Cane honest with his hard-running lines on the edges.

3. Ardie Savea v David Fifita - Kaboom. What a contest. Two tackle-busting powerhouse. Savea is a flanker with good speed and at 99kg, he is a ferocious sight when he gets going. But the All Blacks would equally have nightmares trying to stop Broncos wrecking ball Fifita, the 107kg monster who starred for Australia at the World Nines.

4. Aaron Smith v Daly Cherry-Evans - The two schemers. The 31-year-old Smith has played 92 Tests and is one of the premier halfbacks in world rugby. Ignites the All Blacks backline with a bullet-like pass. Cherry-Evans is the same age and has the game-management and kicking game to keep the All Blacks on the back foot.

5. Joe Moody v Josh Papalii - Clash of the titans. At 120kg, Moody is an All Blacks monster who would take a power of stopping in midfield and would belt a few Kangaroos in defence. For Australia, Queensland Origin hitman Josh Papalii would give the All Blacks some headaches. Big Papa is in the best form of his career and was born in New Zealand.

Originally published as All Blacks v Kangaroos: Secret talks for cross-code blockbuster