The southern hemisphere governing body Sanzar is to conduct a review of last Sunday's Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and the Sharks at Twickenham to determine whether it is worth repeating. Premiership Rugby, the body representing England's top clubs, says the match should be a one-off.
The Rugby Football Union has come under fire for agreeing to host the first Super Rugby match played outside the southern hemisphere – Premiership clubs are concerned it provided direct competition with their matches and set a dangerous precedent. The RFU has said that the match was a one-off, a charitable response to the earthquake that left the Crusaders' Christchurch stadium unfit for use. But Greg Peters, the Sanzar chief executive, said he would not rule out the possibility of further visits to Twickenham.
"All the factors would need to be considered," he said. "Last week's game was a strict one-off, but in saying that we will review it to see how things went. I am not dismissing the idea of a repeat, but all the factors would need to be considered. Sunday gave us the chance to showcase our product. The north has been critical of our game in the past, but everything good about it was on show.
"Super Rugby has leapt in the last 18 months, resulting in a game that both the fans and players like. Premiership rugby and the Heineken Cup have very different styles to the Super 15. The weather is also a factor in Europe, but I would say that rugby is strong in both hemispheres."
The Sharks, who are based in Durban, would not be averse to a return. "While we might in the future wish to play in London for commercial and strategic reasons, Sanzar would have to be consulted and give permission," said their chief executive, Brian van Zyl.
The RFU has not held discussions with Sanzar about hosting Super 15 matches and it accepts that the only suitable month for such games would be June, when the final three pre-play-off rounds of the tournament are staged and when the English club season has ended. That, though, would not appease Premiership Rugby, which is concerned that if a Super Rugby match was scheduled in the close season, spectators considering buying tickets for this month's league match between Wasps and Bath at Twickenham, or the play-off final, might decide to spend their money on Super Rugby instead.
Rugby clubs are feeling the full impact of the downturn in the economy, which is why Premiership Rugby is considering staging next season's play-off final away from Twickenham. The match is scheduled to take place on 26 May, one week after the Heineken Cup final at the ground and one day before England play the Barbarians. With tickets for the final selling more slowly than this time last year, Premiership Rugby fears that three matches in eight days at Twickenham would depress demand. It is looking at alternative venues, starting with Old Trafford, which would allow it to showcase rugby in the north of England at a time when the three top-flight clubs there are struggling.
Wembley is not an option, because it is staging the League One play-off final on 26 May, but the owners of the Olympic Stadium in London are looking to stage test events in advance of the 2012 summer Games.
There is no great desire in Premiership Rugby to take the play-off final away from Twickenham permanently, not least because of the lack of alternatives. Wembley has few spare weekends in May and there is an acknowledgement that players and supporters relish a day out at Twickenham at the end of the club season. But the issue could be used as a weapon if Sanzar makes an approach to the RFU.
Next season's Heineken Cup will start on the second weekend in November, three weeks after the World Cup final in New Zealand. The first two rounds will be played on consecutive weekends, with the schedule then reverting to its customary slots in December and January.
