19 Sep 2016

Controversial Super Rugby format sticking around

3:14 pm on 19 September 2016

SANZAAR boss Andy Marinos says Super Rugby needs to regain it's competitiveness but the hotly debated conference system which made its debut in 2016 is here to stay.

Hurricanes captain Dane Coles with the Super Rugby trophy following the win over the Lions in Wellington.

The 2016 Super Rugby Champions the Hurricanes Photo: PhotoSport

The first year of the conference format drew plenty of criticism, especially around the draw with some sides not playing New Zealand teams and some teams hosting finals against sides which accumulated less points.

"The format is going to stay in conferences for the foreseeable future given our geographical challenges we've got, so it's more how do we get the competitiveness in the teams," Marinos said.

-AAP