Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says the only way to revive the competitiveness of the Wallabies is to reduce the number of Australian Super Rugby sides.
He has suggested having only three teams at the level below Test rugby.
Five teams have contested the domestic Super Rugby AU competition the past two seasons, with the Western Force reinstated last year following its removal in 2017.
Western Force also joined the Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies and Rebels in the Super Rugby trans-Tasman tournament earlier this year, which featured New Zealand's five Super Rugby Aotearoa teams.
ABC News reports the Australian sides only managed two victories from 25 matches against their New Zealand opponents with the Auckland-based Blues winning the tournament.
He said having five professional teams in Australia meant it was too easy for players to make it to the top level.
Hansen was named World Rugby coach of the year four times, while the All Blacks were named team of the year on five consecutive occasions while he was coach.
[Source: Abc.net,au]
