Wallabies look to global market

Australia could play New Zealand at Twickenham if ambitious plans come to fruition.

Australia could play New Zealand at Twickenham if ambitious plans come to fruition.

The Australian Rugby Union have confirmed they are looking to stage matches outside the Oceania region.

And the Wallabies' ground-breaking Bledisloe Cup clash against the All Blacks in Hong Kong on November 1 is set to be the forerunner to future clashes at other neutral venues.

“The interest from all over the world in the fact the All Blacks and Wallabies are playing in Asia is really significant, and it won't be the last time,” ARU chief executive John O'Neill said.

“We are, without jeopardising our domestic markets, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, keen to showcase the game whether it be in Hong Kong, Tokyo and there's some talk of a game in Denver, Colorado.

“We may even play All Blacks and the Wallabies at Twickenham, that's not out of the question.”

But former Football Federation of Australia boss O'Neill, who was largely responsible for the Socceroos' successful move into competing in Asia, has no doubt where the future lies.

“Australia and New Zealand in particular see the importance of helping rugby become a far more popular sport in Asia,” O'Neill said.

“South Africa has got the benefit of being in a European time zone but if we can develop Japanese rugby to a much more competitive level more quickly, and down the track China and South Korea, that can only be good for the game worldwide and particularly good in the Asia Pacific region.

“So Hong Kong's a big stake in the ground and shows we're very serious about expanding our game – Super rugby and Test match rugby – into Asia.”