Former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says the timing of Andrew Forrest's World Series Rugby is impeccable, declaring Asia as a key part of the sport's future.
The future of Super Rugby remains up in the air, with big changes set to be made after the current broadcast deal ends in 2020.
Forrest, who has made billions in the mining industry, launched WSR in response to the Force being axed last year.
This year's WSR involved exhibition games, but it will become a proper tournament next year featuring teams from the Asia Pacific region.
Two teams from Japan, one of which is likely to be the Deans-coached Panasonic Wild Knights, are set to be included.
Teams from Fiji, Singapore, Hong Kong, and NZ could also feature in the six or eight-team competition.
A $1 million winners' prize is also set to be offered.
Deans, whose Wild Knights will play against the Force at nib Stadium on Friday night, was impressed with Forrest's concept.
"His timing is impeccable," Deans said.
"Asia's the future, whether we like it or not.
"Economically, population wise - the interest is already there from a market perspective.
"They'll tell you there's a greater support base in places like China than there is domestically in Australia and NZ. So the scope for growth there is significant."
Deans knows the Super Rugby landscape well, having coached the Crusaders to five titles during his nine-year stint there.
But he says the competition has lost too many of its fans in recent years.
"The horse has bolted to some extent, which they probably rue, because once people turn off, they find other things to do," Deans said.
"Some would suggest the product's been compromised.
"Personally I thought the product was better this year - more competitive across the board.
"But people have stopped watching - that's their biggest issue.
"Change is inevitable. There's no doubt it won't be the same going forward. They really have to capture the imagination of the public again."
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