A Code Compromise of a Different Kind

Here, we talk a lot about rugby union and rugby league, and don't see a lot of need to continue any feud between the codes ... especially now that the main reason for the original schism, player payments, is moot given that rugby union has allowed professional play since 1995. Although some have pushed for an introduction of a hybrid game, at least at the youth level, such proposals are met with resistance and a widespread hybrid game seems unlikely in the near future.

That said, an exhibition match seems logistically feasible. Why? Just last week, Australia and Ireland contested a two-match International Rules Football series. The series featured a hybrid of Australian rules football and Gaelic football, and was narrowly won by Ireland. Although interest was so-so, the matches were televised internationally.

If two such disparate codes can have a hybrid series, why not the rugby codes? It has certainly been done before, but such cross-code matches seem rare. The obvious answer is that neither code would want to risk losing audience to the other by way of such a match, but a few matches here and there might also open the door to new sources of fans and revenue.

As a testament to the entertainment a cross-code contest can provide, here are a few clips from the recent International Rules series: