New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson has confirmed the All Blacks are in talks to play the Kangaroos in a potentially lucrative cross-code clash later this year.
Reports from Australia’s Courier Mail emerged on Thursday stating the All Blacks and Mal Meninga’s Australian rugby league team would meet in a hybrid international following “top-secret negotiations” between New Zealand Rugby and the National Rugby League.
As it stands, the All Blacks are scheduled to play the Wallabies in a four-match Bledisloe Cup series, with the first test pencilled in for October 10 and likely to be staged in Wellington, but this situation remains fluid while borders remain closed.
Three years ago reports suggested the one-off match could generate each team $10 million.
“The last time New Zealand Rugby had an approach was in 2017 and at that stage for various reasons it wasn’t taken any further. We’re interested in learning more, as we are a whole range of things that are being put to us at the moment.
Sanzaar representatives meet again on Friday as a trans-Tasman competition, possibly involving one Pacific Island team, firms as the likely format for 2021.
New Zealand Rugby confirm talks for All Blacks v Australia Kangaroos in historic cross-code match