New Zealand Rugby is adamant that Super Rugby Aotearoa can be financially viable if it needs to be played again next year due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in NZ and Australia.
On Saturday, the curtain came down on the competition, after 10 weeks of spectacle that's been widely praised for breathing life back into a game that was struggling for appeal.
"There's no doubt when we review this, this is as good as we've ever had," Crusaders coach Scott Robertson tells Newshub.
"It just felt like we had quarter-final, semi-final, quarter-final, semi-final week after week."
That level of intensity undoubtedly took a bruising toll on players but it was a product that was badly needed for NZ Rugby, and as COVID-19 re-emerges on both sides of the Tasman, it's one that looks increasingly likely to stay.
"It's been a huge boost for rugby so I'm totally comfortable if we end up playing that again," head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum tells Newshub. "It's just not our preference."
But a trans-Tasman competition format is falling further and further from inception for 2021.
NZR wouldn't be drawn on whether the ongoing stalemate between the respective unions was close to a resolution, but they've delivered a firm vote of confidence in Super Rugby Aotearoa continuing for a second season.
"I've got no doubt this competition is viable... what we've seen over the last few weeks is that it's very much viable," Lendrum adds.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald has overseen the resurgence of his side this year but thinks the competition will be stronger with the inclusion of Australian sides.
"I've watched their rugby quite closely," says MacDonald.
"Week to week, their teams are really starting to get their mojos back and look really strong, so I'd really like to see the Australians involved in some capacity."
COVID-19 is now likely to have the biggest influence on whether they are.
Watch the full story above
