It shouldn't take a crisis to bring back the North Island vs South Island clash - it has bigger potential than that

For all the doom and gloom that COVID-19 has brought with it since it exploded into life in a matter of months, it may have provided Kiwi rugby with at least one small silver lining.

The prospect of reinstating the North Island vs South Island derby in the absence of the suspended Super Rugby season is one step closer to becoming, according to New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson.

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The former All Blacks midfielder confirmed to the New Zealand Herald last week that the inter-island clash is one of numerous options being considered by NZR, as the union looks to get some form of domestic rugby back in action.

With international travel unfeasible for the foreseeable future, the chances of Super Rugby or any kind of test matches being played over the coming months are as likely as Saracens staying in the Premiership next season.

That's forced Robinson and his team to draft up a range of innovative alternative schedules for the 2020 campaign.

A Kiwi-only Super Rugby competition was sought after before New Zealand entered nationwide lockdown, and could still be a viable option once the country's coronavirus alert level status is deescalated.

Elsewhere, rugby purists have called for an extended Mitre 10 Cup campaign to be bolstered by All Blacks, who should be available without any international commitments.

Both concepts hold plenty of intrigue, but the most interesting revelation Robinson made was that the revival of the North vs South clash is being seriously considered.

"Those things you've mentioned are on the table and there's probably others as well. Our team is excited about some of the opportunities and we think fans could be too," he told the Herald.

"If we're able to play domestic rugby without any international touring then we could play for much longer than a traditional season and that opens up all sorts of opportunities for what rugby might look like in New Zealand.

"If we have a limited window to play in – from the middle of the year or whenever the time is, there's a whole range of opportunities. Some of the options could really capture the imagination of the rugby public, players and our partners."