Sunday test feels just right

A shift to Sunday would also open the door for players to return from the Northern Hemisphere to play. Photo / Thinkstock

The Anzac test belongs on a Sunday afternoon.

It's the result of some freakish - probably once-in-a-generation - weather but hopefully today's match is an eye-opener for the NRL and broadcasters.

Test matches are rare and unique so why not treat them that way? It will be brilliant to watch the two teams play in daylight today, and the rescheduled kickoff is expected to attract between 5,000 and 10,000 additional fans into the stadium.

The Anzac test has always felt like one almighty rush. The two teams assemble on Monday and can squeeze in only two training sessions before the match. Test football, especially with the heritage of Kiwis and Kangaroos matches which date back to 1908, deserves better.

The extra time would also allow players to prepare physically and get over knocks and niggles. Several players across both squads played last Sunday in the NRL.

The test match should also be an event. Sure, it won't ever be on the scale of State of Origin - at least not as long as it is played almost exclusively in Australia - but it would be great to have the build-up across the weekend.

A shift to Sunday would also open the door for players to return from the Northern Hemisphere to play. It's unlikely but maybe another Henry or Robbie Paul scenario could emerge again one day.

A weekend game would also make it more feasible to stage the match in New Zealand.

The biggest opponents to a permanent change will be the clubs and broadcasters. NRL teams want their prime assets back as quickly as possible, and the timing of today's match means players will be in recovery mode until Tuesday.

And television companies are looking for the maximum audience, which is delivered via prime time. But today's test will provide a great lead-in to the news for Channel Nine in Australia, which can't be underestimated.

If Sunday is deemed too difficult - then at least Saturday night would be a good compromise for future Anzac tests.