Friday 37 Sports Friday, June 26, 2020 All Blacks could face Kangaroos in cross-code rugby blockbuster Super Rugby’s Rebels to leave Melbourne after virus outbreak SYDNEY: Talks are underway to stage a historic unique year like this that we are considering with cross-code rugby international match between being innovative and having a focus on trying to New Zealand’s All Blacks and Australia’s Kanga- consider revenue-generating ideas at this time roos, it was revealed yesterday. given the financial climate that we’re in.” Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga told Brisbane’s Both NZR and Australian rugby league have lost Courier-Mail there had been “serious negotiations” millions of dollars due to the coronavirus pandemic, to set up the clash for December as both rugby with borders closed and Test matches cancelled. union and rugby league look for ways to recoup If the clash goes ahead, it would likely attract losses from the COVID-19 enforced shutdown. significant interest. The All Blacks are a global “We are still in talks but obviously news of this brand while the Kangaroos are the current rugby has got out,” Meninga said. New Zealand Rugby league world champions. Meanwhile, the Rebels’ (NZR) boss Mark Robinson confirmed his team preparations for their opening Australian domestic were in talks, although he said his priority was sal- Super Rugby match have been disrupted by an vaging as many rugby union Tests as possible in outbreak of coronavirus in Melbourne, with the 2020. “We’ve had an approach. We’ll work that team moving to Canberra early for player safety. through and go through the proper process... if we Victoria state has seen a spike in COVID-19 feel it has merit to take further,” Robinson told local cases over the past week with several new clusters media. Meninga said he was keen to pit his 13-a- emerging in its biggest city. The Rebels are due to side stars against the might of New Zealand’s 15- kick off their Super Rugby AU campaign on July 4 a-side game. “I’m keen to make this happen. We against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra, but have want to play the All Blacks, hopefully we can get decided to travel to the nation’s capital a week HAMILTON: File photo shows Otere Black of the Blues (R) tackles Aaron Cruden of the Chiefs during the the concept off the ground,” Meninga said. early. “This is undoubtedly a very fluid situation Super Rugby match between Waikato Chiefs and Auckland Blues at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on June “The best from our game versus the best from and we are committed to keeping our people safe 20, 2020. — AFP the New Zealand game... let’s do it.” The Test would and healthy in accordance with government advice be a 14-a-side match on December 5 in Australia and regulations,” Rebels chief Baden Stephenson sive action is required.” be tested again on Thursday before leaving for and could potentially become a regular block- said late Wednesday. A decision on where the team heads after the Canberra on Friday. The five-team Super Rugby buster biannual fixture. “We’ve been in constructive dialogue with Brumbies clash has yet to be made. They are due AU begins on July 3 with the Reds up against the “We’ve had the option put to us of this hybrid Rugby Australia, (southern hemisphere governing to host the Queensland Reds in Melbourne on July NSW Waratahs after the original 15-team season game with the Kangaroos,” said Robinson. body) SANZAAR and (players’ union) RUPA for 10. Stephenson said all players and staff returned across five countries was halted by the coronavirus “And it’s one of many different scenarios in a the last 24 hours and we have all agreed that deci- negative tests for COVID-19 on Monday and will pandemic.—AFP Pacers are the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference as the league prepares to resume play in a con- Brogdon, Parker trolled environment in a sports complex at Disney Murray to return to ‘high World in Orlando, Florida. to play in In recent weeks, he has been an active voice in level’ after injury woes the Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd by po- NBA restart lice in Minneapolis. LONDON: Andy Murray insists he can still “My groin is a little bit sore today, I felt it He is among the NBA players who believe they play at a “high level” after stepping up his re- in practice and at the beginning of my match, LOS ANGELES: Indiana Pacers playmaker Mal- can use the platform in Orlando to take the Black turn to fitness in a defeat against Kyle Edmund but as the match went on, it felt alright.” colm Brogdon and Sacramento Kings forward Lives Matter message to a broader audience. In at the ‘Battle of the Brits’ event on Wednesday. The often-injured Murray plays James Jabari Parker say they’ve tested positive for preparation for resumption of play, NBA teams this Former world number one Murray was Ward in his final group game, needing to win COVID-19, but expect to join their teammates week began testing all players and some staff and playing just his second match since November to make it through to the semi-finals. when the NBA resumes play in Florida in July. a number have tested positive, although exact following a bruised bone. But the Scot is already looking at the much “I recently tested positive for the COVID virus numbers have not been confirmed. The two-time Wimbledon champion longer term as he plots a schedule that will see and am currently in quarantine,” Brogdon said in a The Denver Post reported that Nuggets big showed impressive movement and all of his him arrive at the US Open in the best shape. statement issued through the team. “I’m doing well, man Nikola Jokic had tested positive and was in usual tenacity to take the first set, but Edmund The three-time Grand Slam champion is feeling well and progressing well. I plan to join my quarantine in his native Serbia, but the club de- hit back to win 6-7, 7-6, 10/5 behind closed likely to return to the ATP Tour at Washington teammates in Orlando for the resumption of the clined to confirm the report, citing health privacy doors in Roehampton. in August. “I am trying to avoid playing back- NBA season and playoffs.” Parker confirmed his di- concerns. During this Phase 2 of the league’s pro- “To be honest, I am not bothered about the to-back events, my priority is to be fit for the agnosis in a statement posted on the Kings’ Twitter Orlando health protocols, tests on players are to be results of the match, after a match like that I grand slams,” Murray said. feed, saying he had tested positive “several days repeated multiple times each week until teams ar- hope my hip is OK, and I pull up well from it,” “After what I have gone through in the last ago” and had self-isolated in Chicago. rive in Florida, where even stricter protocols aimed Murray said. few years, and not being able to compete at “I am progressing in my recovery and feeling at slowing the spread of the virus will be in place. “I know if my hip is good, my tennis will any of the majors, I want to have a few more well,” Parker said. “I look forward to joining my The league has said that positive tests won’t only improve and get better over the next few cracks at them. Get to compete at them. Even teammates in Orlando as we return to the court for necessarily derail its plans to resume with 22 teams months. If I can get consistent practice. if it is for one last time. the resumption of the NBA season.” in the running to make the NBA Finals. Eight teams “That is my hope. The hip feels good. If I “So there would be more chance (of play- Before the NBA shut down amid the coron- who were effectively eliminated from playoff con- play like that and do a few things better, ing) in Washington than Cincinnati - or New avirus pandemic on March 11, Brogdon was playing tention when the hiatus began in March will not re- sharpen up a couple of things, I will play high York (where the Cincinnati event has been a key role in Indiana’s push for the playoffs. The sume play. —AFP level tennis. moved).” — AFP.