A hybrid clash in Tokyo? It sounds far-fetched, but an Australian newspaper believes New Zealand has an interest.

The money is dazzling and the concept intriguing, but all the noise out of New Zealand Rugby in France is that the reported proposed "hybrid" clash between the All Blacks and Kangaroos is never going to happen.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, in Paris, scoffed at an Australian report his team could be involved in a A$50 million (NZ$55m) match against Australia's national rugby league side under special "hybrid" rules, and his boss at NZ Rugby was equally as dismissive.

The story in Sydney's Daily Telegraph said the proposed contest between the rugby and league world champions could be played in Tokyo, Japan, after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Each team would receive NZ$11m, equating to about NZ$728,000 per player for the one-off game.

STUFF "This is definitely not something we are pursuing," says NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew.

"Oh, $50 million," said Hansen of the figures being bandied about. "I chuckle at a lot of media reports I read. I haven't heard anything about it, so there is no point in me doing anything other than chuckling about it."

READ MORE:

* Ex-Kiwi Bronson Harrison backs hybrid rugby game to take off

* Players and officials declare Hybrid Rugby game a success

GETTY IMAGES Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn was understood to be hitting the reset button on the team's culture in 2018.

Tew told Stuff from Bordeaux, where he is with the New Zealand Maori team ahead of their Friday night (Saturday NZT) clash against the French Barbarians, that the report had some foundation, but the likelihood of a hybrid match ever coming to fruition was negligible.

NZ Rugby general manager strategic relationships and planning Nigel Cass had spoken to the man behind the ambitious project, Hybrid Rugby chairman Phil Franks, a year ago and no contact had been re-established since.

Tew said NZR was asked to consider a large number of proposals on a regular basis, and only took the meeting because it was brokered by former Warriors coach Ivan Cleary, whom they have a healthy respect for. But there had been no discussions since.

"Frankly, what would we be wanting to play a hybrid game for?" Tew told Stuff.

"You never say never but it would be very improbable. This is definitely not something we are pursuing.

"We haven't heard from them for a year, Nigel hasn't even got a contact [number] for him. The ball was in their court to come back to us.

"You can dismiss that."

Tew's final comment on the matter indicated it was a project dead in the water before it even had a chance to fly.

"It is very, very unlikely we would contemplate playing a hybrid game in any circumstances in the current environment. But for $50 million, I'd play."

The Daily Telegraph said it had obtained emails "clearly showing New Zealand's interest" in the game.

"The All Blacks have shown preliminary interest and given organisers a window to play the game - between two to four weeks after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan," the report said. Franks had also spoken to Australian Rugby League chairman John Grant.

"I had a formal discussion with the New Zealand Rugby Union and they were really interested," Franks told the Telegraph. "We are absolutely confident we can put it together. This game will be worth $50 million. It will be just as big as the final of the World Cup.

"My view is that the teams will share the revenue. They will be getting the lion's share of the money."

The other potential pitfall for organisers (on top of NZR's lack of interest) would be getting approval from NRL clubs who contract the players.

Under the possible rules listed in the Telegraph, there would be 13 players per team (plus seven reserves), there would be lineouts but no lifting and the team in possession would have 60 seconds to cross the halfway line playing league rules, at which point, the referees would call change of play to rugby union laws.

Little wonder Hansen is chuckling.