NRL roadblocks, opposition team logistics and broadcast issues are set to end the ACT Brumbies' hopes of hosting a home Super Rugby final on a Saturday night next month.
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The Brumbies will return to training this week to start preparations for their first finals campaign in nine years.
If they finish third on the ladder - as expected - they will host a final at Canberra Stadium on the weekend of July 19-20.
The Brumbies had visions of a sellout crowd on July 20 - a Saturday night - but the Canberra Raiders play the Parramatta Eels at the same venue on that same evening.
The Raiders confirmed last week they would be willing to investigate a way to move their clash against the Eels to allow the Brumbies to play in their preferred timeslot.
But the only likely option for a change is if the Penrith Panthers agree to play their home game against Newcastle on July 21 a day earlier and the Raiders and Eels play on the Sunday.
The NRL told The Sunday Canberra Times the switch was unlikely.
''We have not been approached by any party about moving the match but it would be extremely unlikely that we would be able to facilitate a change at this stage," an NRL spokesman said.
The Brumbies have been looking at the play-off schedule in week one after their place in the finals was guaranteed by clinching top spot in the Australian conference.
If results go their way, the Brumbies could finish in first or second place and would earn a bye in the opening week of the post-season.
With their last regular-season match against the Western Force on July 13 in Perth, the Brumbies are hoping they can find a way to play week one of the finals on a Saturday night to give them maximum preparation time.
SANZAR - Super Rugby's governing body - is aware of the schedule clash with the Raiders.
But their finals scheduling is largely dictated by travel, with teams having to make long flights to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner told The Canberra Times last week he was willing to investigate moving the fixture against the Eels to a Sunday afternoon to accommodate the Brumbies' preference.
But any move is dependant on approval from the NRL, television broadcasters Fox Sports and any other rugby league clubs involved.
Just four weeks before Super Rugby finals begin, time is running out for a deal to be struck and it appears likely the Brumbies will have to play on the Friday night if they finish third on the overall ladder.
More than 21,000 fans watched as the Brumbies beat the British and Irish Lions in a historic match earlier this week and more than 20,000 fans are likely to be at the first finals match in Canberra since 2004.
