“It’s a matter of finding that gap in the rugby calendar. The cause was obviously for a world disaster but it’s been a really enjoyable week,” he said.

“It has probably reinforced some of the things that rugby is all about and we had a great time and got to know each other. It was a special and unique situation.

“If it didn’t put too much strain on your playing body then I think it would be a good thing.”

South African skipper John Smit agreed. “It’s an opportunity to play the game surrounded by really great players. If you could make this an annual event it would be fantastic from the players’ point of view.”

But England’s World Cup-winning duo of coach Clive Woodward and number eight Lawrence Dallaglio, team boss and captain respectively of the Northern Hemisphere side, have their doubts about the practicalities of playing the match on a regular basis.

Dallaglio said: “This game was about what it meant – raising money for the tsunami. It was a little bit old school, meet up two days before, a couple of line-outs together and get out and do your best. It was a unique experience, a little bit more how it was a few years ago.

“This game went ahead because the IRB made it happen and we were all united to accept that invitation.

"We’ve enjoyed it but it’s so difficult to find a time to fit it in.”

Woodward, at a distinct disadvantage when it came to assembling his side because he could not make too many demands in the middle of the 6 Nations while former opposite number Rod McQueen had the pick of Southern Hemisphere superstars like Gregan, Smit, Chris Latham, Andrew Mehrtens, Schalk Burger, Phil Waugh and New Zealand skipper Tana Umaga, agreed: “In theory it would be great but in practice it would be very difficult putting this sort of fixture in place – and why do you have to?

“There are enough great tournaments around the world – Six Nations, Tri-Nations, World Cups – and the players are being pretty flogged as it is.” But former Australian coach McQueen countered: “It’s not very often I disagree with Sir Clive but I think it would be a very good thing.

“I’d like to see the game make something like this happen more regularly. In his situation it was very difficult because of the timing but it’s a very special thing for international players to have an opportunity to play alongside players they have been playing against for so long.

“It would be good if we could orchestrate it and put this type of game on because it gives them another level to get to and it could also be a great spectacle.

“There is a very good argument that a game like this could appear every second year.” “Take George Gregan, for instance. For 12 years he’s been playing against Andrew Mehrtens and he got the opportunity to play alongside him.

"That was pretty special.” A huge grin told just how much Gregan had relished forming a half-back pairing of the highest order with his old rival.

“It’s been great playing with Mehrts. We’ve been playing against each other since we were in the U19s and we’ve formed a great friendship over that period of time.

“Unfortunately, we’ve studied heaps of amounts of video tape on each other over the years so it was great to play together. We’ve had a great week, got to know each other even better – and he’s one of the funniest men you will meet,” he added.