ACT Brumbies boss Phil Thomson says it's unlikely Super Rugby will hold inter-country finals, but that's what they're working towards - coronavirus pandemic permitting.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In the meantime, the Brumbies are preparing for a domestic competition to begin in two weeks' time on April 3 with coach Dan McKellar set to treat the break like it was a Test break.
The finer details - including the draw - of a five-team Australian competition are still being nutted out, with Thomson expecting that to be completed early in the week.
That will determine who they will play, whether their previous games against NSW, Melbourne and Queensland will count and what the finals format will be.
It's hoped the latter will include not only Australian deciders, but also a Super Rugby champion with a finals series involving South African and New Zealand teams.
SANZAAR is also looking into the possibility of using chartered flights - like the NRL is doing - to minimise contact with the public and the chance of contracting the COVID-19 virus.
"That's still an option that's being looked at - the cross-border finals - and that's going to be determined by all the travel restrictions that are being put on by governments," Thomson said.
"You'd probably have to say it's unlikely, but it's certainly an option that will be there for all of us to see in the event that we can travel to other locations."
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
McKellar was looking forward to finding out the finer details in the coming days.
While the Brumbies haven't played since their emphatic 47-14 victory over the NSW Waratahs last weekend, they've continued to train.
If all goes to plan, it will end up being a three-week break between games.
In the past the Super Rugby season has broken for four weeks for an international Test window before resuming.
McKellar said they were treating this break in a similar fashion.
"It's a little bit like the old June Test window when the Wallabies used to break for a month in Super Rugby," he said.
"We continue to train and make sure we get through what we need to get through to improve.
"While we've had a good start, we've still got a lot of areas we can improve on and enjoy it at the same time.
"It's been a good week last week and hopefully there's not too many more weeks before we've got a game to look forward to."
He said returning to play would be crucial for the future of the clubs and the competition - just like it is for all sports around the world.
McKellar also felt it would be crucial for Australians, for whom sport is part of the national psyche.
The chance to watch sport - even if it's only on television with stadiums shut to crowds - would be important in these uncertain times.
Everyone is facing the prospect of enforced self-isolation as the pandemic worsens.
"It's the same for everyone isn't it. The broadcasters contribute big money to all sports in Australia these days," McKellar said.
"If you don't have content for the broadcasters to use then funding ceases. It's important for everyone for the game to continue.
"We're starting to see really good signs at the Brumbies and in Australia in general.
"At this time of year it's an outlet for a lot of people to be able to watch the rugby league, the union, the AFL. It's a big part of Australian culture."