The ACT Brumbies are open to the idea of using a fully synthetic turf at a proposed $350 million stadium for Canberra if it meets international standards and doesn't affect the capital's ability to host Tests.
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The ACT government says it will push ahead with a long-term vision to build a new stadium in Civic in the mid 2020s after the Brumbies survived the Super Rugby axe last week.
However, the orientation of the venue and the type of turf looms as a major hurdle if the Brumbies, Canberra Raiders and government can't agree on certain aspects.
The government is keen to investigate artificial turf, which would change the way the stadium would face and reduce the costs of moving Parkes Way.
Australian football codes are skeptical about player safety on fully synthetic surfaces. Rugby union does use synthetic grass at fields at Cardiff Arms Park and in Ireland, while the government has invested in an artificial soccer field at Hawker.
Brumbies chief executive Michael Thomson said the Super Rugby club was happy to work with the government in a favourable outcome.
"In our eyes it has to be up to international standard and provide an opportunity for all of the elements of the game to be expressed," Thomson said.
"That includes scrummaging in rugby. I don't have issues with technology, it just needs to be such that it doesn't impact on our game and meets the requirements of World Rugby.
"It would be illogical to do it and then find out later that would couldn't play Tests or international sport on it."
The ageing Canberra Stadium will host international rugby league and rugby union this year.
The Australian Kangaroos will play New Zealand in a rugby league Anzac Test on May 5 before the World Cup has three games in the capital in October and November.
The Australian Wallabies will play against Argentina in a rugby Test in Canberra on September 16.
The 25,000 capacity makes it a perfect boutique venue for international games that won't draw big crowds in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne.
However, there is scarce undercover seating at the stadium and Raiders and Brumbies fans brave the elements during the winter months.
There is a proposal to have a roof on a new venue in Civic, however, that adds a headache for the playing surface because "it wouldn't grow in winter and would be cooked in summer".
Graham Humphries, of Cox Architecture, helped redevelop Canberra Stadium for its last major upgrade for the 2000 Olympic Games.
Cox Architecture was involved in the design of the original athletics stadium on the current Canberra Stadium site, as well as the addition of the east stand, the extension of the Meninga Stand and lowering the playing field.
"Both the capacity and amenity of the existing stadium is no longer serving the major football leagues well," Humphries said.
"It doesn't serve the expectations of professional teams and fans. If you were to build a new stadium, it would have much better amenity for players, catering and facilities as well as television.
"The cost to maintain a stadium is going up and up because Canberra's is getting older, and capacity to earn isn't going to go up dramatically if you can't increase the size.
"Longer term, a new venue is the way to go. Canberra Stadium needs to reinvent itself even if it's a facility for the AIS. You'd definitely need to look at something that can be roofed, has at least 30,000 seats that's expandable and state of the art facilities."
ACT chief minister Andrew Barr has floated the idea of buying Canberra Stadium off current owners, the Australian Sports Commission after a $1 per year peppercorn lease ended recently.
The government is now paying $350,000 in rent and says the commission, a federal government organisation, is responsible for maintenance and upgrades of Canberra Stadium.
