Former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick says the COVID-19 pandemic has made for "an exciting time" for the future of rugby, giving the sport a chance to reset.
Fitzpatrick believes the game hasn't had the opportunity to sit back and assess how it operates for many years.
"I think it's quite an exciting time," he told Rebuilding Paradise with Paul Henry. "Obviously, the terrible situation we're in at the moment has given us the opportunity to think and it's probably something rugby hasn't done in a long time.
"We didn't really have time to think about what the professional game would look like. I think, by having this time to push the reset button, it's giving us the opportunity to assess what we've done well in the last 25 years."
Due to alert-level restrictions, sports must be played in closed stadiums, until the Government advises how to manage mass gatherings in controlled venues that will allow fans to return.
After Monday's announcement that New Zealand will move to Alert Level 2 and sports matches can be played, NZ Rugby has revealed a new revamped Super Rugby Aotearoa competition will begin in June.
Although the only way for the public to watch matches will be on TV, Fitzpatrick doesn't believe this will change how the athletes play games.
"I don't think it's a huge concern for the athletes in terms of whether there's a crowd there or not, they just want to get out there and play. Obviously, it's an opportunity to generate some revenue with the TV rights, which is hugely positive in terms of getting sport and the economy going in some way, shape or form."
Watch his full interview with Paul Henry above.
