New Zealand Rugby (NZR) boss Steve Tew can imagine Super Rugby expanding beyond 18 teams after its latest metamorphosis is complete.
Tew has labelled the expanded four conference model on the table for beyond 2015 as an "advancement" on the existing format and the most balanced solution to appease all parties.
Super Rugby is set to add three further teams and divide into two groups, each comprising two conferences.
Five existing teams each in New Zealand and Australia will contest the Australasian group while eight teams will fight out the South African group.
The three new teams will all be in the South African group and include the Port Elizabeth-based Southern Kings and a team from Argentina.
The third team is open to tender, with interest expressed already by officials in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and the west coast of the United States to host a franchise.
Tew says SANZAR officials have an open mind about where the 18th team is based, with a decision likely to be made early next year.
"We think it's a great chance for our competition to explore the possibilities," he said.
"They'll have to have a venue that is suitable, the financial backing to be sustainable over a period of time and they'll have to show us they can put a competitive team on the field without filling it full of Kiwis."
Tew makes no apology for another change to the championship, which has had three different models since the Super 12 was launched in 1996.
He says rugby is still finding its feet compared to other more established professional sports.
Super Rugby has the scope to tap into many more markets, he says, with only Europe an unlikely area for expansion.
"I could envisage in the future four vertical conferences which are bigger than they are now which would confine the travel and increase the markets that we're in.
"Then we might end up with a finals series that's almost global."
Tew says while NZR is pleased a week has been shaved off the length of the new format - from 21 to 20 - he had sought a greater reduction for the sake of player welfare.
However, that had to be balanced against the needs of his counterparts in Australia and South Africa and of broadcasters.
Senior All Blacks Richie McCaw and Conrad Smith voiced support for the reduction in "brutal" New Zealand derby games.
No additional travel to South Africa was another positive, they said, along with a slightly longer off-season.
NZ Rugby Players Association boss Rob Nichol described the changes as a "practical compromise".
Tew is optimistic the format will be well received by television money men and heartened by the buoyant outcome of recent sports broadcasting agreements elsewhere.
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