And can that solution be found in the past?
Rugby commentator Steve Davie thinks so. He has written to New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew to urge the union to consider holding a North v South game at Carisbrook on that Friday night.
Davie argues that sort of game would be "more palatable" than seeing the All Blacks pummel a Pacific nation in the middle of winter.
"It would act as a worthy trial," Davie argued.
"We'd see All Blacks all over the park [not just on one side], it would showcase the best talent New Zealand has, and it would be a much more meaningful encounter than New Zealand v Fiji, and more economical than trying to entice Argentina, as plan C would require.
"I've spoken to a lot of folk about this and they would all rather see our best in action. And having a game featuring our top players would signal another case of New Zealand rising to the cause again, united as one."
The North-South game was once an eagerly anticipated fixture on the New Zealand rugby calendar.
It was held most years until 1986, when a North side featuring David Kirk, Peter Fatialofa, Terry Wright and Greg Cooper beat South (captained by Mike Brewer and including Richard Knight, Andy Earl and Bruce Deans) 22-10 at Oamaru's Centennial Park.
The only other North-South game since then was held, appropriately, at Carisbrook in 1995, when Jonah Lomu warmed up for the World Cup by scoring two tries in North's 55-22 win.
Davie has even saved the national selectors the task of picking the two sides, based on Super rugby allegiances. -
North: Isaia Toeava or Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko or Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu or Luke McAlister, Hosea Gear, Mike Delany or Aaron Cruden, Alby Matthewson or Piri Weepu, Liam Messam or Victor Vito, Tanerau Latimer or Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, John Afoa or Neemia Tialata, Keven Mealamu or Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
South: Ben Smith or Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Robbie Fruean, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter or Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan or Andrew Ellis, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw or Matt Todd, Adam Thomson, Sam Whitelock or Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Jason Rutledge or Corey Flynn, Ben Franks or Jamie Mackintosh.
"Getting those blokes to go head to head in a final trial would be meaningful," Davie said. "It would draw a crowd and would make for a much better television spectacle as well."
North v South - Your thoughts
Do you think the July 22 game at Carisbrook should be:
(a) All Blacks v Fiji
(b) All Blacks v The Rest
(c) North v South
Email hayden.meikle@odt.co.nz with your thoughts.
