The New Zealand Rugby League confirmed yesterday the stadium was in a two-horse race with Eden Park to host the test and, while the stadium faces the might of Auckland, the situation appears to have grown more favourable in the past few weeks.
Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive David Davies said yesterday he was "really glad" to hear that news.
With confirmation yesterday the Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar would play an A-League match at the stadium in December, Davies said it showed people had been watching what had been happening in the city during the Rugby World Cup, and the way the public had responded.
He said stadium representatives would be travelling to Australia in November to have further discussions with rugby league representatives, looking for opportunities to bring top-level league to Dunedin.
News on the Anzac test was expected yesterday, but NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle was headed to Australia, and marketing manager Trina Tamati said the league would wait until after the Rugby World Cup to make a final decision.
Dunedin had been reported as being in the frame for the test, since it became clear Christchurch's AMI Stadium would not be available for the 2012 season because of earthquake damage.
This year's Anzac test was moved from Christchurch to the Gold Coast in May, after the February 22 earthquake, and the league had planned to return the test to Christchurch next year.
Doyle said in August keeping the game in the South Island, so Christchurch people could still attend, was regarded as a positive option.
Tamati said yesterday no venue contracts had been signed, but "obviously, Dunedin and Eden Park are the two top contenders at the moment."
The commercial aspect of the decision was important, but she said she would "love" to see the game played in Dunedin.
