LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Sam Burgess has expressed his enthusiastic endorsement of the emerging Hybrid Rugby concept, recognizing its potential to enhance the sport and personally investing in the initiative.
The former star of both NRL and Super League believes that a blended ruleset, combining aspects of rugby league and union, could facilitate the development of future exhibition matches and international competitions that have significant global appeal.
"It really works well, I like the concept," Burgess stated in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. "I've played both codes and I know the crossover between the two."
Proponents of Hybrid Rugby have already submitted a multi-million-dollar proposal to organize an international match later this year, with ongoing discussions uniting both rugby codes.
The idea has also garnered support from Ivan Cleary, a four-time premiership-winning coach from Penrith, who has shown interest in coaching a hybrid match.
Under the proposed rules, teams would adhere to league regulations while in their own half of the field, transitioning to union rules when in attacking territory. This structure aims to highlight athleticism and skill without giving preference to either code.