The only professional league so far to feature regular long-haul travel is Super Rugby, which features teamsfromAustralia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The ELVs were partially trialled by teamsfromAustralia, New Zealand and South Africa in this year's Super 14, but some northern hemisphere unions have expressed reservations.
He said the crews, whose numbers have been swelled by relief teamsfrom mainland Australia, were expecting to find "one or more" people who had perished in the fires.