Rugby league: Australia-Tonga Test poised for Auckland

Tonga Rugby League World Cup team meets fans at Otahuhu Rugby League Cup today . 31 October 2017 New Zealand Herald photograph by Doug Sherring.

A historic Test between Australia and Tonga in Auckland appears set to be confirmed by the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL).

Negotiations between the NZRL and the NRL to stage the Test at Mt Smart Stadium on October 20 are believe to have concluded.

A press conference has been scheduled for Wednesday morning in Auckland, hosted by NZRL boss Greg Peters and NRL general manager of elite competitions Jason King.

Peters was involved in talks with NRL boss Todd Greenberg last month but has publicly played down the prospect of hosting a first clash between the Kangaroos and Mate Ma'a.

The NZRL is concerned the high-profile match would suck attention away from the trans-Tasman Test at the same Auckland venue a week earlier.

It could also affect ticket sales for the Kiwis Test, with fourth-ranked Tonga likely to attract plenty of support after their charge to last year's World Cup semi-finals.

Playing the Test at a large venue in Sydney or Brisbane is reportedly prohibitive due to the high cost of stadium hire.