Within rugby circles, the idea of such a world challenge, something rugby league first successfully pioneered back in the 1980s, is seen as a must since it is the one obvious cash cow for a sport with limited expansion routes.
Television and rugby officials have discussed it and though it might be a TV event, perhaps staged in front of 60,000 in Japan, it would be a proper collision rather than an exhibition.
For the moment, the calendar makes it a non-starter at this stage of the season because the European schedule is too crowded.
Back in the infancy of the competitions, when Super 12 was considered vibrant combat and the Heineken Cup ho-hum fare, the fixture would have held little appeal because the southern hemisphere-teams were perceived to be too strong. Not any more, though.
The real attraction of the match today is that, mirroring the closure of the time-honoured gap at Test level by England and France, it would be too tough to call.
The Brumbies, free of any salary cap, would have more strength in depth, yet Wasps could counter that. Providing they could field their strongest XV, they would be too physical and too defensively strong for a team playing in the less demanding Super 12.
When we see that the Brumbies beat Canterbury Crusaders 47-38 in a final of 13 tries, it strengthens prejudices about the Super 12 being 'basketball' rugby, where only lip service is paid to defence.
"Super 12 hasn't helped forward play in Australia and New Zealand," Finegan admitted.
"Club players in the northern hemisphere will play more topclass games a year and the hardness and physicality of those matches gives them an advantage."
Wasps will start on Saturday with the same side that won the Heineken Cup against Toulouse.
Former England Under-21 captain Mark Denney, who will be on the bench, has agreed a two-year deal with French club Castres. The centre will link up with Wasps team-mate Paul Volley, whose move was confirmed last month.
Team: M van Gisbergen, J Lewsey, F Waters, S Abbott, T Voyce, A King, R Howley; T Payne, T Leota, W Green, S Shaw, R Birkett, J Worsley, P Volley, L Dallaglio.
