New Zealand's pledge to fast-track border changes may not be enough for the NRL's Warriors and A-Leagues' Wellington Phoenix to host matches across the Tasman this season.
However, the Kiwi clubs have welcomed Jacinda Ardern's decision this week to bring forward changes at the border, which has been largely closed to outsiders for two years.
From this week, New Zealanders abroad will be able to return home without having to quarantine or self-isolate.
Foreigners will follow; while the government is taking the next few weeks to consider when, it has pledged to do it before July.
That's good news for the Warriors, who have based themselves in Australia for the third straight season.
The NRL outfit are hoping to play four matches at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium from July 3, before returning to regular trans-Tasman competition in 2023.
For the Phoenix, it's a different equation.
With just two matches left this season, the A-League Women's side will need to wait until next campaign to play in front of Kiwi fans, while the Men's side will need another box to be ticked.
"We need to move out of the red traffic light," club chief executive David Dome told AAP.
The government does not allow crowds over 100 at the "red" setting of its COVID-19 management regime, where it currently sits, and has pledged not to move down to "orange" or "green" until cases subside.
Given New Zealand recorded more than 19,000 cases on Tuesday -- a record high -- that may be some time way.
"There's not much point getting them back if no one can go watch," Dome said.
"It looks as though Omicron is going to peak around mid-March, end of March. Our regular season ends in April.
"So we might have a chance to pull something together ... depending on the time frames it takes to make those decisions."
The Phoenix will do what it takes to host matches in New Zealand, though Dome noted the complexities of fixturing the competition alongside the Asian Champions League and international fixtures.
Super Rugby Pacific is due to start trans-Tasman matches in late April.
New Zealand Rugby has not responded to a request for comment on the border changes, nor did the NBL's Auckland-based Breakers.
Sport Minister Grant Robertson said final decisions on the new timetable would be coming "in the near future".
"Cabinet is assessing the timetable for the further steps in the Reconnecting NZ programme, and will be looking to bring those forward," he told AAP.
The border changes should allow the Supercars to race again at Pukekohe Park Raceway, given the Auckland SuperSprint is scheduled for September.
It will also open the door for netball's Constellation Cup, which has was cancelled in 2020 and moved to Christchurch last year, to play regular trans-Tasman matches.
