Rugby: Hong Kong angst for the big five

New Zealand's ground-breaking test in Hong Kong against the Wallabies could create more angst among the big five unions.

They are upset that the NZRU intends to climax the Air NZ Cup next year on Labour weekend, with the final on October 26.

With the Hong Kong test scheduled for November 1, only a "capped" number of All Blacks will be able to play in the final should their teams make it. The "capped" number would then join the rest of the All Blacks in Europe rather than Asia.

That is not palatable to the provinces, who have long endured having limited access to their star players.

Presumably, if Canterbury made the final they would be denied the services of key players like Dan Carter or Richie McCaw or if Wellington made it they could be without Jerry Collins or Rodney So'oialo.