Super Rugby faces challenges ahead of changes in 2017

They have floated plans for further expansion into Asia and for forays into the United States and eventually Britain where Super Rugby would presume to take on established and popular domestic competitions.

Perso that's the main issue I have with SR (these days). Sanzaar's all over the place, only think short term $ and changes rules, format, teams etc pretty much every year or 2. There is no consistency whatsoever.

In hindsight, and as much as I love SR, I think 4-5 strong domestic comps in the region with top 2 or 3 to qualify for a "super rugby comp/tourney" would have preserved or even grown domestic comps yet allowed new countries/markets to integrate SR when they are ready. Currie and ITM cup crowds have been dwindling for years, oz NRC still struggling to compete with nrl and afl (or even A league) and I have the impression top league crowds were also slightly down this year. And it's pretty much the same at SR level too, tv and stadiums.

Sky TV NZ is losing 200 subscribers a day! Crappy Super Rugby games and too many of them have made watching rugby another ho-hum. I on;ly watch the NZ derby matches as the rest of the competition teams are too weak to offer much with the Japanese franchise the absolute pits. JRFU isn't serious about fielding a strong team as they run the Top League comp right into February. Japan likes the sound of super rugby but all they are doing is dragging it down into the mire. Either stand up with some serious cash and players or let the Super Rugby real fans have their competition back please. This Saturday Hurricanes against the Sunwolves won't attract anyone interested in watching a good game of rugby, just those teams most loyal supporters and I suspect many Kiwi fans will see it as little more than a warm up match.