League, union combine
GREGOR MACTAGGART
September 1st, 2008
NORMALLY the fiercest of rivals, Top End rugby league and rugby union officials are contemplating the unthinkable.
The Northern Territory News has learned that identities from the two codes have had discussions to staging a once-off cross-code promotion match early in 2009.Key officials involved remain tight-lipped as the idea still remains in the formative stages and there's much discussion to go before any deal is settled.
If agreed upon, the match would be played under a half-half format instead of over two similar legs.
For example, if the first half was rugby league, then the second half would be rugby union or vice versa.
Discussions on which teams would be involved are unclear, but sources close to the camp have revealed a clash between rugby union's NT Mosquitoes and rugby league's Territory Titans is the ideal match-up.
Adding steam to this unique idea is the fact a number of Top End players have extensive experience in both codes, not to mention how many players have switched between the two at the elite level.
The most famous cross-code example was in 1996 when power English rugby league outfit Wigan took on rugby union powerhouses Bath in a two-leg match-up.
On that occasion, Wigan beat Bath 82-6 in the rugby league game before Bath exacted revenge with a 44-19 win in the return match under union rules.
