KEY POINTS:
Super rugby is set to go global with the New Zealand Rugby Union expected to soften its stance on playing games off-shore.
The Herald on Sunday understands that Dubai is the latest venue to express an interest in hosting competition games and that the Stormers are likely to be granted permission to play the Crusaders in London next season.
Historically, the NZRU has rejected proposals to play games outside the country of the home side. But the need to grow the sport globally and generate new commercial markets has forced executives to re-evaluate their stance.
NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said: "We have been talking about the possibility of playing games off-shore and working through the issues.
"The issues are largely the same ones that were raised [in 2005] when the Crusaders wanted to play in Melbourne. There are issues for Sanzar and the broadcasters but we are continuing to work through them."
While the NZRU says it is still considering the consequences of taking games on 'tour' it is believed that the arrival of John O'Neill as head of the Australian Rugby Union will lead to agreement being reached.
O'Neill officially took up his new post on Friday and has made it clear that he wants rugby to become a national sport in Australia and for the game to build its exposure in overseas markets.
Having headed Australian Football for the past three years, O'Neill has become aware of how competitive the sports market is and fears that rugby could stagnate, or worse, if it doesn't pursue an aggressive and targeted growth strategy.
The new Australian boss, who held the same post between 1995-2003, is recognised as one of the most innovative and forceful administrators in professional sport. He met NZRU chief executive Chris Moller and chairman Jock Hobbs on Friday and outlined his vision for Super rugby to become a genuinely global competition with franchises encouraged to build support around the world.
With the NZRU already looking at offshore markets to grow the All Black brand, it is believed they were receptive to the idea of doing the same at provincial level.
Those well placed in rugby's administrative circles say Dubai is ready to stump up serious cash for games to be played there. Dubai already hosts a highly successful sevens tournament and has also hosted a range of other high profile age-grade tournaments across a range of sports.
For any game to actually be played in Dubai or any other off-shore venue, the 'home' team would have to be paid a significant fee to compensate for not raising gate money. The major external shareholders - sponsors and broadcasters - would also have to sign off on the deal but there is strong evidence to suggest off-shore rugby would be lucrative.
In recent years, major football clubs such as Manchester United and Real Madrid have built their recognition and support base by playing pre-season games in Asia and other markets.
Those overseas ventures have seen clubs grow revenue through merchandise sales but, more significantly, these games have built Asian interest in the domestic leagues of England and Spain and therefore boosted the long-term value of broadcast contracts.
The running costs of rugby continue to bloat and with the New Zealand broadcast market close to saturation point and the Australian market under pressure from other codes such as AFL and NRL and football, there is a real need for Sanzar to source income from other areas.
