The new look Super Rugby campaign is certainly set to receive mixed reviews following an official launch by SANZAR in Sydney on September 13.
The Southern Hemispheres premier franchise competition has received a brand (name and logo) makeover and the addition of the Melbourne Rebels from Australia has restored parity as the three competing nations will be represented with five teams each in 2011.
The new look format however poses the biggest concern to South African fans as the competition is five weeks longer. Each side will have to endure 16 matches in a regular season as opposed to 13 matches played in 2010. This meaning that the amount of matches including knockouts has increased by 33%.
The 15 teams will play out of national based conferences (leagues). The five South African teams will contest one conference, the five New Zealand will contest a second conference and five Australian teams will compete in their own conference as well.
Each side will play the other 4 teams in their local conference, home and away (eight local derbies). They will also play four of the five teams in the other conferences (another eight matches).
The top placed side in each conference will automatically reach the six-team finals series. The other three positions will be filled by the wild card entrants who finished with the most points without winning a conference. Therefore not necessarily will the second placed team in each conference make into the finals series,which will further increase the length of the season.
Kick-off is February 18, 2011.
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