THE Wallabies could play the USA in Chicago next year en route to the World Cup in another bid by the Australian Rugby Union to fill their empty coffers.

The ARU are currently formulating plans for at least two revenue-raising matches overseas to offset a dramatic decline in income in a World Cup year, with no inbound tour series in June or standard Spring Tour.

It is understood early talks are underway with Rugby USA about staging a repeat of the All Blacks’ successful Test against at NFL venue Soldier Field, and a second Wallabies game against the Barbarians in London after next year’s World Cup is also on the cards.

The ARU can bank between $3-5 million for two Wallabies matches.

A post-tournament Test against Wales in Cardiff may also be a possibility, similar to 2011 when the Wallabies did a short cash-grab tour to Europe after finishing third in New Zealand.

Unlike 2011, however, the Wallabies are looking at using one of the “money Tests” as a final tune-up for the 2015 World Cup by flying to England via the States and taking on the USA Eagles in late August or early September.

The Wallabies finish up the Rugby Championship on August 8 and play Fiji in their World Cup opener in Cardiff on September 23, leaving a substantial window for Michael Cheika to apply the finishing touches to his team’s preparations.

He said last month he was open to the possibility of playing warm-up matches and a clash with the USA could serve as a win-win for the Wallabies and the ARU’s bank balance.

A clash between the USA and the All Blacks last month sold out the 62,000-seat Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears.

It was well received in the NFL-mad city but more importantly for the NZRU, the revenue helped them turn a budgeted $1.2 million loss into a “modest” profit, it was announced recently.

With many long-serving Wallabies contractually free to join European clubs straight after the World Cup, the fact the Wallabies would play a game in the USA at full-strength would be a valuable selling point.

The IRB acknowledged the negative financial impact of a World Cup upon major Test nations in 2012 after the ARU saw $16 million in lost revenue in the 2011 World Cup year.

It has given $3 million a year since that period, and will give SANZAR nations $16 million to share this year to compensate for a shortened Rugby Championship.