The Crusaders and Melbourne Rebels are in talks over a pre-season match in Singapore but the chances of it going ahead are only "50-50'' due to a clash over dates.
The match must be underwritten by the Singapore Government, who are understood to be keen for the match to be played on Saturday, February 18.
However, the Crusaders will only be available to play the day before due to the long travel involved. It is understood that a Friday is less desirable to the many corporates who will help fund the event.
Rebels chief executive Steve Boland was quoted by The Australian newspaper as saying negotiations were advanced.
"We have signed a contract with a Singapore promoter to play Super Rugby trial matches with the Crusaders,'' he said. "There is a great expatriate market in Singapore, which has 6,500 registered players. If we have a connection with Singapore and the Rebels become the Super Rugby team of choice, that will be fantastic.''
The Crusaders, defeated finalists in 2011, would be just as big a drawcard but they would be without high-profile All Blacks Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, who will make late starts to the competition in 2012.
It is more likely that the match will be played in Melbourne. The Crusaders also play pre-season matches against the Hurricanes in Mangatainoka and Highlanders in Greymouth.
The Crusaders attracted a crowd of 35,000 at Twickenham in March for their Super Rugby match against the Sharks.
