More derbies, less confusion and a stronger competition. Super Rugby officials hope axing teams and a streamlined format will put breathe new life into rugby union.
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The new-look Super Rugby started last weekend in South Africa, but will face its biggest test when the New Zealand and Australian teams begin their campaigns.
Australian rugby struggled to get any traction last year, compounded by drama in Perth when the Western Force was jettisoned from Super Rugby.
ACT Brumbies membership is hovering around 5000, but it is hoped a strong start to the season will help lure fans back to Canberra Stadium.
There has been plenty of change in the off-season. The Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds have new coaches.
Quade Cooper has been punted from the Reds, Will Genia has joined the Rebels, Kurtley Beale is back at the NSW Waratahs and Force players have been spread around the competition.
"The reality is that if we want to catch the best teams in the world, we've got to double down on our efforts," said new Rebels coach and former Force mentor Dave Wessels.
"The structure of the tournament allows for more derby games and that's great for us and the Australian teams. Some players are playing for higher honours in those games.
"Australian rugby clearly had a tough time last year. Everyone has worked hard. It's the old adage, you only fix the leak in the roof when it's raining, and it's certainly been raining.
"There are new systems in place right across the board to make sure we go better. That might not happen on day one, but I'm confident in the direction it's heading."
SANZAAR - Super Rugby's governing body - axed three teams last year. They cut the Free State Cheetahs and Southern Kings from South Africa and the Force from Australia.
That leaves a 15-team format, which will be divided into three different conferences of five teams.
The Japan Sunwolves will join the Australian teams, while the Argentina Jaguares will join the South Africa leg of the competition.
There will be eight cross-over games against teams from the other two conferences, and a home-and-away system for the inter-conference battles.
The controversial finals system will still be in place, with the top three teams from each conference gaining automatic qualification for the finals.
The remaining five spots will be filled by the remaining best-placed teams.
The finals system caused uproar last year when the Brumbies won the right to host a home final because they were Australian conference champions, despite being the overall ninth-ranked team.
SUPER RUGBY CONFERENCES
Australia: ACT Brumbies, Japan Sunwolves, Melbourne Rebels, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds.
New Zealand: Auckland Blues, Canterbury Crusaders, Otago Highlanders, Waikato Chiefs, Wellington Hurricanes
South Africa: Argentina Jaguares, Cape Town Stormers, Durban Sharks, Johannesburg Lions, Pretoria Bulls.
