Rugby and cricket officials yesterday reached a compromise agreement which will allow the Crusaders on to the stadium turf before the Black Caps have completed their season.

Should the first Super 12 fixture be allocated to the stadium on February 27 a synthetic covering will be placed over the cricket pitch to be used for the test against South Africa from March 11-15.

It is expected the referee will be instructed not to set any scrums on the artificial surfaces.

Victory Park Board general manager Campbell Prentice is confident his staff can manage the task of restoring the outfield and preparing the pitch in time for the cricket test.

New Zealand Cricket's chief executive Chris Doig acknowledged that the solution was not ideal, but said some compromise was necessary to find answers to what will become an annual dilemma.

Canterbury Cricket chief executive Tony Murdoch said the resolution was extremely important, not just for cricket in Canterbury, but for future use of the stadium.

His association had been concerned that the possible inability to stage the March test match would count against Canterbury in the allocation of future fixtures.

``The last thing that Canterbury Cricket would want is to lose Jade Stadium's status as a test match ground,'' he said.