Club bosses have told the NRL to forget about the hybrid game

NRL club bosses have urged the game to scrap plans for a hybrid game between the Kangaroos and All Blacks

Acting NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has held talks about the hybrid game

Club bosses have urged the NRL to scrap talks over a hybrid game between the Kangaroos and All Blacks. The Australian understands several club chief executives raised their concerns over the proposal at a phone hook-up on Thursday morning, querying why rugby league would want to give a helping hand to a rival code.

Promoter Dean Lonergan is the brains behind the current proposal, which has the support of New Zealand Rugby. The game is now in the hands of the NRL and ARL Commission, who are seriously contemplating the game given it would result in a financial windfall for the code.

However, if it is to go ahead, it will do so against the wishes of the vast majority of clubs. It is understood they raised major concerns over the proposal during a conversation with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.

Clubs have asked what is in it for the code and them. They want to know why rugby league would want to help rugby union at a time when their bitter rivals appear to be on their knees.

They have questioned why they should put their elite players at risk for a game that doesn’t benefit them. It is understood Abdo confirmed recent talks had taken place but told the club bosses that the game was unlikely to go ahead.

“Clubs don’t want it to happen,” one chief executive told The Australian. “What’s in it for the clubs? Overall, what is in it for the game. I wouldn’t even say the support among clubs was lukewarm. If rugby union is struggling, is it really in our best interests to be giving them a leg-up?”