THE PROSPECT of Ireland relocating internationals to neutral Test venues appears likely one day, but reports emanating from the USA that New Zealand were exploring the possibility of playing Ireland in Boston or Chicago was news to the IRFU chief executive, Philip Browne, last night.
The New Zealand Rugby Union have signed a co-operation agreement with USA Rugby, and local media have reported the All Blacks were examining playing tests in the United States, against either Australia, in Denver, or Ireland in Boston or New York.
"That's the first I've ever heard of it," said Browne, though he indicated the Union would be receptive to the idea.
"As you know we were looking at the option of a match against South Africa in Dubai and that fell through for one reason or another," he added.
The die has been cast with the fourth Bledisloe Cup game between the All Blacks and the Wallabies taking place in Hong Kong, and the Australian RFU CEO, John O'Neill, has confirmed his country are exploring the possibility of playing the All Blacks in Denver or Twickenham as part of a plan to expand the Super 14 to 18 sides, possibly into Japan and North America, by 2013.
"I presume Australia and New Zealand are trying to reach out to a wider market because their own is a little saturated," said Browne, who admitted the IRFU would already have similar fears.
"We would have a concern about too many internationals here in Ireland. We have a limited pool of supporters."
Whereas Wales and England have opted to host four Tests in November, while the Wallabies are scheduled to play five games on their European tour after the detour to Hong Kong, the IRFU are keen not to flog the already saturated market for Test rugby.
"For example, four matches on four consecutive weekends is a big ask of our supporter base," said Browne. "It's an issue."
But while reiterating there had been no dialogue with the IRFU about a match against New Zealand in either Boston or New York, Browne intimated the idea would be worth exploring.
"We might be interested but the commercial side of it has to stack up, the rugby side of it has to stack up, and we'd have to think about what impact it might have on our supporters - all of those things.
"But certainly I'm not aware of this and there's been no contact from New Zealand or Australia with Ireland in relation to it. Munster have started a relationship with the USA in Boston and Chicago but the fact remains nothing has been said to me about it."
O'Neill has suggested rugby in the Southern Hemisphere is poised for major changes on a scale not seen since the sport went professional in 1995.
"I think the opportunity is there to evolve to the next stage - I think we're ready for it," he said at a news conference to name the Wallabies squad for their November tour. "We are hopeful in 2010 we will go to Super 15 and then within a three-year period go to Super 18.
"That brings with it an opportunity to expand into a Japanese market, maybe the American market. This is another moment of transformation. The game was transformed in 95, 96 with the arrival of the professional era."
New Zealand (NZRU) officials have also been interested in including the South Pacific nations, while there has been talk of including Argentina in an expanded Tri-Nations, but O'Neill seemed more interested in eyeing up the lucrative Asian and North American markets.
"Tokyo (is a possibility), and there's talk of a game in Denver, Colorado," he said of the possibility of additional Tests at neutral venues. "We might even play the All Blacks and Wallabies at Twickenham; that's not out of the question."
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