International Rules set to return - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

International Rules set to return

By Roger Vaughan 29/04/2008 10:11:05 PM Comments (0)

The AFL and the Irish GAA are set to revive the controversial International Rules series.

League football operations manager Adrian Anderson have confirmed Australia and Ireland would play at least one game in this country later this year, as part of the 150-year celebrations for the game of Australian Rules.

"You'll see International Rules played this year, the precise format ... (is) yet to be finalised," Anderson said on Fairfax Radio.

"But there is news in the pipeline and we're considering options as to whether it's two games or one."

The series was called off last year after Gaelic Athletic Association concerns about violent on-field incidents during the 2005 and `06 series.

On St Patrick's Day last month, the Irish counties voted for the series to resume.

That followed a meeting of AFL and GAA officials in Dubai during February.

One of the features of the revived series is expected to be ramped-up sanctions for on-field incidents.

Anderson said an Australian team would also visit Ireland next year, as part of the GAA's centenary celebrations.

He added Carlton full-forward Brendan Fevola, who was kicked off the 2006 Ireland tour for a drunken off-field indiscretion, would be eligible for next year's trip.

Meanwhile, Anderson explained why a suspended AFL player can be picked for the May 10 Hall Of Fame tribute match at the MCG.

West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr, out for three matches after accepting his head-butting sanction, is likely to play for the Dream Team side despite the ban.

"We looked at it at length and we discussed it with a number of players," Anderson said.

"They made the point that if I'm out for three matches and that happens to coincide with this historic chance to play the best of the best, once-off ... why should I also miss what could be one of the games of the decade?"

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