The All Blacks could christen the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin this July. Fiji could play the All Blacks in what would be the first game in the new covered stadium.
And Dunedin may be the new base for the England side for the Rugby World Cup later this year, creating an economic boom for the city with up to 10,000 English visitors expected to follow their team.
The New Zealand Rugby Union announced last week it would play an extra test match this year to help raise funds for Christchurch earthquake victims.
It named the date, July 22, but did not confirm where it would be played and who would be the opponent.
Logic suggests the game be played in the South Island so Christchurch people could attend.
With the stadium scheduled to be completed on August 1, it may be possible for a game to be played there nine days earlier.
Sources have told the Otago Daily Times the Forsyth Barr Stadium is likely to be the venue for a test match against Fiji.
Some areas of construction at the stadium are ahead of schedule and others are on time.
When approached, Dunedin Venues Management Ltd communications and marketing manager Jo Scully said she was unable to confirm anything.
Carisbrook Stadium Trust chairman Malcolm Farry could not be contacted last night.
The grass at the stadium, sown in late January and mown first last month, appears to be in good order. Its next test will be when the Desso GrassMaster system is sewn into it next month. (The system reinforces natural grass with synthetic grass).
Carisbrook could be an option but there are concerns about its ability to host a big game and also questions over its ability to bring in enough revenue.
With Christchurch losing the right to host world cup games, there has also been speculation about which cities will host its five pool games.
Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd chief executive Martin Snedden said last week a decision on pool games would be made in about two weeks.
British media suggested the match between England and Argentina on September 10 would be shifted to Dunedin.
A report in the Sunday Star-Times yesterday said the match between Scotland and Georgia on September 14 would be switched from Dunedin to Invercargill.
Dunedin would host the clash between England and Argentina and then the match between England and Georgia on September 18. With England then playing Romania on September 24, the side would have its first three games in Dunedin. Its remaining game is against Scotland in Auckland.
