\u201cI know you\u2019ve got traditionalists in league and union that are gonna say \u2018No, it\u2019s the worst thing in the world\u2019. Well, you can stay in your box. I just enjoy something different because to have something in an event style, that creates a different atmosphere around the same product, I think it\u2019s a good thing. It\u2019s healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some habits die hard. On a couple of occasions, the St Gregory\u2019s players, having crossed halfway, stood up to play the ball instead of reverting to a ruck. But for the most part, everyone was on the same page. Barker had three Australian Schoolboys representatives on their team and a gun 15-year-old fullback who attracted the interest of talent scouts. The good ones stand out, regardless of the rules.<\/p>\n
\u2018I actually enjoyed the game, this is like your T20 version of rugby, so to speak.\u2019<\/p>\n
Former Wallaby Mark Gerrard<\/p>\n
This was the first hybrid football game played on these shores since Western Suburbs (league) defeated Randwick (rugby) in 2016. On that occasion, Phil Franks was championing the Hybrid Rugby brand, a task that he passed on to his son, Paul.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a fast, free-flowing flowing and exciting game. Both schools got a lot out of it,\u201d Paul Franks said.<\/p>\n
Loading<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re pretty open-ended with [what comes next]. The England idea is a bit of a no-brainer \u2013 both codes are struggling financially over there.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a way to do a spectacle event where both codes can share in revenue. It\u2019s exciting for the fans as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The NRL has always been mindful not to do anything to give its closest competitor a leg up, but even the governing body got on board for the latest exhibition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought both sides showed really good spirit,\u201d said Fittler, who holds an NRL pathways position.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing about this age group is, you see how much they care for their schools.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, where to from here for the hybrid game? There have been numerous attempts to stage games between the Kangaroos and Wallabies, and even the All Blacks have been approached. None of them have ever materialised, each code wary of ceding ground to the other.<\/p>\n