Plans are in reportedly in place to hold a one-off All Blacks trial following the proposed franchise derby tournament.

READ: Former All Blacks back return of tours

A report in the New Zealand Herald indicates that there is play to re-introduce an old-school trial match to afford All Blacks coach Ian Foster to interact with a wider group of players. It is thought that a Blesidoe Cup series could take place because borders between New Zealand and Australia are likely to be relaxed before a full re-opening of air travel.

As it stands, this trial would follow on from a 10-week derby tournament which will see all franchises play home and away before a final to decide the winner.

While the start date will require the country’s lockdown be downgraded to level 2 in the next fortnight, the possibility of pushing out the tournament, the trial match and the domestic series to follow remains.

‘Everything is on the table but it is too early to commit to anything absolutely,’ NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson.

‘We’ll need to work through this quickly because we know the horizon of next year is fast approaching. We’re in close dialogue with South Africa, Argentina and Australia on this. There’s nothing predetermined at the moment.’

ALSO READ: Government bails out New Zealand Rugby

Photo: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images