Talks over hybrid contest involving Rhinos at formative stage

The Super League champions hope to feature a challenge fixture incorporating a mix of rules from the rival codes.

Firstly, though, they must receive confirmation from the Rugby Football League that they are able to enter into such a one-off contest.

Speculation has been mounting that Leeds – recent World Club Challenge winners after their epic triumph over Australian champions Manly Sea Eagles – were already well down the road to announcing the exciting prospect.

But Hetherington dismissed reports Rhinos were set to play Aviva Premiership club Leicester Tigers, possibly at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, in June.

Former Australia rugby union head coach Bob Dwyer is the brains behind the idea of formulating a hybrid game and, with his various partners, including Australian RL legend Bobby Fulton, is now well advanced in making it a reality.

Hetherington has revealed that he was approached by Dwyer on his recent trip to Australia to discuss the idea and would like to see the fixture materialise but nothing has yet been confirmed.

Under the proposed regulations for a hybrid game, rugby league is played while a team works their way out of their own half, with rugby union rules taking over as they enter the opposition half.

A hybrid match was held in Sydney last May between two leading school teams from each code.

Hetherington told the Yorkshire Post: “I’ve seen the DVD of that match and it was a really interesting spectacle.

“People turned up to watch it and it was a great contest.

“The rules they have devised mean there is no advantage to either the league side or the union team so it is a proper contest.

“The thing that fascinated me most, though, was at times you couldn’t tell which was the league side and which was the union.

“There is a basketball-style stopclock to it as well whereby teams can only have 60 seconds in possession at any one time.

“A set of six tackles in rugby league takes on average between 45 and 60 seconds.

“I’m not sure there’s an appetite yet for it with Australian television but there is interest from a Welsh programmer and the hope is something could be done in Europe to get it underway.”

Hetherington added: “I met with Bob Dwyer and I was fascinated by the set of rules that they have devised.

“There has been initial discussions but press reports of a date and opponent are incorrect.

“However, we are receptive to this type of challenge subject to RFL approval and I know our players are too.

“Money is not the motivator for us and we would donate any profits to rugby charities.

“But the contest could generate enormous interest around the world and raise the profile of both codes.

“It’s not, though, up to us to decide where, when and how. They are driving it and we’ve merely said we’d be interested.”

Hull FC have told Willie Manu he must decide soon if he is accepting their offer of a new three-year deal.