The Courier-Mail in Brisbane reported yesterday Reader had travelled to Dunedin to discuss the possibility of the Broncos playing a trial match against the New Zealand Warriors.
It was suggested the game could be part of a double-header with a Highlanders Super Rugby game and timed to coincide with the University of Otago's Orientation Week.
"A Broncos trial would be expected to sell out, given the large student presence and the fact it would be the first time NRL teams have visited," Courier-Mail reporter Chris Garry wrote.
Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) chief executive David Davies has made no secret of the desire to bring a top-level league game to the city but, when contacted for comment, would say only that he was not in a position to make a public statement.
"When we have something to say, we'll say it," he said.
"But what I can say publicly is we will get this done as quick as we can and, as soon as we've signed the commercial agreements around it, we'll make an announcement."
Broncos chief executive Paul White told the Courier-Mail talks were continuing.
"We have spoken to the Warriors and officials from the stadium but no deal is done," he said.
If the game goes ahead, the news will be a welcome relief.
New Zealand Football chief executive Grant McKavanagh told the Otago Daily Times earlier this week the All Whites were unlikely to play their March World Cup qualifier at the venue.
"There are a lot of costs involved in coming down to Dunedin and tight time frames," he said.
"We have to know when we are bringing a game to a town that we are coming into the right environment. There was nothing of that in what we received from the DVML proposal."
Despite rave reviews since the stadium opened in August last year, the venue has not been a resounding financial success.
The company recorded a $3.2 million loss for the 2010-11 year, though the venue was in start-up mode and had not had much chance to offset initial costs.
