Payne's ambitious goal is Six Nations v Tri-Nations
With the Wallabies-All Blacks test match almost in the bag this year, Hong Kong has now set its ambitious sights on hosting an inaugural global championship between the winners of the Six Nations and Tri-Nations.
A lucrative 'best against the best' clash between the top northern and southern hemisphere teams will be one of the main topics of discussion when world rugby chiefs meet in Hong Kong on Sunday.
New International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset and his deputy, Bill Beaumont, will arrive on Friday for talks with the world's leading rugby nations on a proposed test match to be played annually between the winners of the two major competitions in each hemisphere.
'We believe Hong Kong would be an excellent venue for such a game,' said Allan Payne, Hong Kong Rugby Football Union executive director. 'Part of our strategic plan is to look at hosting international matches and it would be a tremendous honour if we were asked to host this match.'
Hong Kong would have set a precedent for a neutral venue with the proposed Australia-New Zealand clash in October or November.