Wallabies vs Great Britain rugby league team

[The big Kangaroo]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...-clash-next-year/story-e6frf3ou-1226777891743

So apparently the wallabies are playing a cross code game at the end of next years spring tour. when i first read this i guessed it was a joke cause of the huge risk. A year out form the world cup playing an extra test at the end of the year is not in the best interest of player welfare. There is also that its likely that the wallabies will spend time practicing for 40 minutes of a different sport. There are some positives the big one being that the money is going towards funding the new possible 3rd tier competition which will be great in the long run. What Do you guys think could be a great match

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

It'll be good for a media point of view since, from what I hear, both teams are struggling for much coverage. If it boosts the profile of both Australia and Great Britain in their respective sports in their respective countries, it'll be a success. As a sporting contest, I think it's virtually meaningless.

 

[ruggabee]

I'd be interested in seeing match ups between superstars of each code. Just a matter of how they'll set the rules so it's as even as possible.

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

The trouble with cross-code contests, especially as marketing ploys as this is, we never get to see either side at 100%. There is a well worn debate about which code is stronger, more skillfull etc but to find that out you have to allow the league players to defend like they normally do, using a lot of tactics illegal in Union and vice versa and this increases the risk of injuries which in turn the clubs that supply these players for one off games dont want.

So despite the concept being an intriguing prospect on paper thats as far as it will get, on grass it'll be just a marketing exercise.

 

[ruggabee]

The trouble with cross-code contests, especially as marketing ploys as this is, we never get to see either side at 100%. There is a well worn debate about which code is stronger, more skillfull etc but to find that out you have to allow the league players to defend like they normally do, using a lot of tactics illegal in Union and vice versa and this increases the risk of injuries which in turn the clubs that supply these players for one off games dont want.

So despite the concept being an intriguing prospect on paper thats as far as it will get, on grass it'll be just a marketing exercise.

Wouldn't 50000 dollars be a decent incentive for a one off appearance? Unless restricted due to player welfare, I think most players would want to participate in such a rare event especially for such a quick pay check.

Skills wise; I think the one off match could provide a decent enough contest. I mean you mention the defence but the only illegal aspect I'm aware of is the shoulder charge tackle, which isn't legal in league any more. Things we could judge would be the physicality of players, speed and strength etc but other parts would be down to how well the rules are made fair.

Regardless of the seriousness side of this, I think it'll be entertaining to see players from different codes have a go at one another. I'm sure they'll want to prove who's better in whatever way possible. Should be fun to watch!

edit. See you mentioned defensive "tactics". I suppose there would be some getting used to like league players not being allowed to rip the ball if there's a 2 man tackle etc but yeah. I reckon both sides will be equally unfamiliar with certain rules but so it can even out. Just out of curiosity, what defensive areas do you think will affect the fairness of the contest?

edit again. Just saw your reply. I didn't know there's been a contest before. I thought this was a first off! That's unfortunate it's never worked before. In theory it sounds great.

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Wouldn't 50000 dollars be a decent incentive for a one off appearance? Unless restricted due to player welfare, I think most players would want to participate in such a rare event especially for such a quick pay check.

Skills wise; I think the one off match could provide a decent enough contest. I mean you mention the defence but the only illegal aspect I'm aware of is the shoulder charge tackle, which isn't legal in league any more. Things we could judge would be the physicality of players, speed and strength etc but other parts would be down to how well the rules are made fair.

Regardless of the seriousness side of this, I think it'll be entertaining to see players from different codes have a go at one another. I'm sure they'll want to prove who's better in whatever way possible. Should be fun to watch!

They money would be an incentive and thats how theyll get the players involved but theres never been a cross code game that has a) been any good and b) been well recieved in terms of watching numbers.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Finally a team the Wallabies should murder in the scrums.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

$50000 would be a hell of an incentive for players. How would that be funded? Assuming it's 23 man squads, if you pay 46 players $50k each you're talking about a sum of $2.3m. Then there's management and coaching staff fees, a stadium rental fee, hotel fees etc. It doesn't add up.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

So we'll see Wallabies ruin them in the union half, and England ruin them in the league.
Yawn.
Not a fan of cross code games at all - they're trying to push one through for Sale vs Salford soon.


Would be interesting to see Folau playing league again, and the Burgess brothers running over some Wallaby players, though.

 

[ruggabee]

I'm so sorry I skimmed the last bit of the article explaining the rules. Half and half huh. Sounds like it could be a very disjointed game.

$50000 would be a hell of an incentive for players. How would that be funded? Assuming it's 23 man squads, if you pay 46 players $50k each you're talking about a sum of $2.3m. Then there's management and coaching staff fees, a stadium rental fee, hotel fees etc. It doesn't add up.

Haha I was thinking that too at first. But they are expecting a return of $20 mill so if they're right it should still be a decent profit.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

If it turns $20m, hosting it is a no brainer.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

What are the rules going to be?

 

[RoosTah]

Interesting that this could happen and will definitely help the ARU out, but lets be honest - this will effectively be a battle of 2nd/3rd best in both codes... England aren't much chop in League and the Wallabies are still struggling to get it together in Union.

Would honestly much rather see the Kangaroos v All Blacks, or even Kangaroos V the Union British & Irish Lions.

What are the rules going to be?

Supposedly it'll be one half with rules favouring union and another favouring league. Will be silly really if they don't do it well.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Surely it's a lot easier for Union players to adapt to League than vice versa? GB will be completely destroyed in the rucks and the like...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What are the rules going to be?

In the past they've been 40mins of League and 40mins of union (but with uncontested scrums).

 

[InsaneAsylum]

In the past they've been 40mins of League and 40mins of union (but with uncontested scrums).

Thanks. I've never seen a hybrid game before. how did it pan out? in your opinion, was it a complete shambles or did it seem to work ok?

 

[big ginger 8]

What are they going to do with the points values?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Thanks. I've never seen a hybrid game before. how did it pan out? in your opinion, was it a complete shambles or did it seem to work ok?

Waste of time.
League wins the league half easily, Union the union half.
In the UK there were two relatively high profile ones, one Bath vs Wigan (though that was 80mins league vs 80mins union a week or so later, and was when Union was still amateur and League pro) and one Sale vs St Helens, both played out like that and both were a waste of time.]
The union sides had a few ex-league players in, as well, so it's not as if the sport was foreign to them.

Sale's game, we won the union half 41 - 0, and they won the league side 39 - 0.
Points were union style in both halves, so 5 try, 2 conversion.

 

[Kapa O Pango]

Sam Burgess.

 

[Jaguares]

I want to see: "Wallabies vs Kangaroos"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And "All Blacks vs Kiwis" too, pleaseeeeeeeeeeeee

Waste of time.

League wins the league half easily, Union the union half.
In the UK there were two relatively high profile ones, one Bath vs Wigan (though that was 80mins league vs 80mins union a week or so later, and was when Union was still amateur and League pro) and one Sale vs St Helens, both played out like that and both were a waste of time.]
The union sides had a few ex-league players in, as well, so it's not as if the sport was foreign to them.

Sale's game, we won the union half 41 - 0, and they won the league side 39 - 0.
Points were union style in both halves, so 5 try, 2 conversion.

League players should come to our code, we are more and have greater impact worldwide. Many of them are good, the only country with rugby tradition which League can compete with Union is Australia with the NRL, in all others countries with rugby tradition, Union is much more important.

Sorry League supporters :buddies: