Highlanders chief executive Richard Reid has judged the home game at Palmerston North a success, and the Manawatu union is keen to host a similar game next year.
A crowd of about 9400 turned out to see the Highlanders turn on an outstanding effort to beat the Bulls 36-12.
Reid said the Palmerston North businesses and people had bought into the concept of the home game.
"It was such a success from the moment we got up here on Wednesday night.
"The guys trained out at the army camp on Thursday and the army totally supported us. The businesses have all got on board, and got behind it," Reid said.
Reid conceded the fine weather undoubtedly helped draw people through the gate, and he said it was great how the crowd got in behind the Highlanders.
The Highlanders had an agreed confidential fee with the Manawatu Rugby Union over hosting the game and both parties felt satisfied with the attendance.
The Manawatu union had to get at least 5000 through the gate to break even and it did that with ease.
Reid said next year the Highlanders had only six home games, compared with seven this season, and venues such as Invercargill and Queenstown had to be brought into consideration.
Queenstown missed out this year.
The success of the Palmerston North game had to be considered, as did the playing of a home game at another New Zealand venue, such as Napier.
Reid said no other union had approached him about hosting a game.
Manawatu approached the Highlanders late last year and agreed a guaranteed confidential fee to get the game.
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore praised the innovative move and the way the town had got behind the side.
Manawatu Rugby Union chief executive John Knowles was happy with the crowd, although electronic sales problems at the gate led to queues outside the ground when the game kicked off.
Knowles said the good weather helped.
"We'll definitely want to do it again next year but that is really up to the Highlanders, with games they have to play round the region," he said.
"We just don't get that calibre of rugby here enough and the crowd showed they'll come along when it's played."
Knowles denied that many in the crowd had attended to send a signal to Hurricanes officials that the town could host a Super 14 game.
The city has not hosted the Wellington-based side since 2007, and was likely to miss out to Napier next year.
Reid said it would be interesting to see the size of the crowd in Invercargill on Easter Saturday against the Reds, and at Carisbrook for the last home game of the season against the Stormers on April 24.
"The theory is people only want to watch a winning team.
"Well, we have got that now so let's see if they come along."
