The best rugby players from the northern and southern hemispheres will play each other, starting next year, the International Rugby Board announced today.
IRB chairman Vernon Pugh said the date and venue for the inaugural match had yet to be decided but said the first game would be held in June or November 2002.
"This is the game people want to see. It'll be a fantastic addition to the rugby calendar," Pugh said.
"It'll be an annual match that gives us the opportunity to showcase rugby to the whole world."
Pugh said the major rugby playing countries were in favour of the concept and had agreed the profits should go to smaller, developing nations.
He said at least four countries, including one from Asia, had already submitted bids to stage the match but the final decision would not be made until later this year.
Pugh said the IRB would appoint the coaches and selection panels for each team but wanted a truly worldwide contest.
He said that although SANZAR teams South Africa, New Zealand and Australia would provide the bulk of the southern hemisphere side, players from Argentina and the Pacific Islands would also be considered.
Similarly, the northern hemisphere team would be mostly drawn from the Six Nations, but players from countries such as Canada and the United States would be available.