Super Rugby Aotearoa was created to fill a temporary void left by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Newshub can reveal that the revised competition will continue beyond 2020.
NZ Rugby and Rugby Australia had originally intended to unite to form a trans-Tasman version of the competition for 2021, but border closures have forced a rethink of that approach.
Last month, Newshub revealed plans to continue the domestic competition and now understands that sign-off for next year's structure is expected within a fortnight.
That means Super Rugby Aotearoa will be revived for a second season, with the inclusion of a Pacific side also in the works.
Across the ditch, Super Rugby Australia will also be played again, with a crossover tournament to take place at the conclusion of both competitions.
"Super Rugby Aotearoa, plus a trans-Tasman element, will be a pretty good result for next year," says Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee.
Players make no secret of the physical toll the competition has taken on them and while they admit it took time to get used to the higher intensity, they think it's manageable.
"It was hard and physical, and everything like that," says Crusaders' captain Sam Whitelock. "But that's what us, as players, really enjoy."
"The body was slowly adjusting to playing NZ derbies, week in and week out," adds Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu. "And then by the end of it, my body felt battle hardened."
The revamped competition was widely credited with breathing life back into Super Rugby, producing some classic encounters in front of jam-packed stadiums across the country.
"As a rule, you want to improve your competition," Lee says. "You want it to be exciting and engaging for the public, and it was this year."
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