One week out from kickoff, Sanzaar boss Andy Marinos has launched a staunch defence of Super Rugby as uncertainty around the competition's short and long-term future continues to drag on.

Super Rugby's expansion to 18 teams was widely maligned last year. Everything from the finals format to the confusing conference structure and a lack of integrity came under fire.

Despite the widespread criticism, no changes were made for this season, and four days out from 2017's opening game agreement over how the competition will look for next year and beyond appears no closer.

ANDY JACKSON/Fairfax NZ New Zealand sides dominated the 2016 Super Rugby season but Sanzaar boss Andy Marinos claims that may change.

Directive on a firm vision has been pushed back from the end of last year to March, and Marinos is now suggesting it could be even later before the 10-year blueprint is finalised.

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"We should be in a position by the end of May, beginning of June, to deliver the full new strategic plan for Sanzaar," Marinos said. "We're still processing at this point in time."

Many have suggested Super Rugby is no longer the pre-eminent competition it once was.

Marinos rejects those claims, pointing to metrics around scrum and lineout completions, tries off first phase, number of penalties and ball in play.

Last year points scored per match increased from 45.3 to 52.0 while tries were up 5.1 to 6.4 per match.

Most of all, Marinos is trumpeting a global audience he says hit 50 million in 2016.

"All of those numbers we are up on any other rugby competition in the world. And from a viewership perspective by some order of magnitude we dwarf what the other competitions are generating.

"I still believe it is the premium competition."

Last year four of the five Kiwi teams made the top six playoffs; three were in the semifinals, and the Hurricanes claimed the title.

Across the board New Zealand were completely dominant, and in a British and Irish Lions year few expect that to change.

Marinos, however, is hopeful other contenders will raise their game.

"It was a rather bizarre year where we had dominance coming out of one conference and, except for the Lions, others struggling to assert themselves. I don't think that necessarily rings true.

"New Zealand are certainly going into the competition with a lot of confidence and minimal disruptions in terms of player movement. But early indications are the South Africans, Australians, Jaguares and Sunwolves are going to be a lot more competitive than they were last year.

"I'm hoping for the good of the competition it's a lot more balanced."

The most pressing concern facing Marinos and the Sanzaar partners is what to do in 2018.

The Australian Rugby Union's board meets on Monday to discuss whether to axe one of their five teams. Similar conversations are being had in South Africa about the future of the newly-introduced Southern Kings.

Former Sanzaar boss Greg Peters, who has returned to Wellington from Argentina, summed up the juncture organisers have been locked at for some time.

"There's a general acknowledgement that the 18-team structure as it is now is not optimal," Peters said.

"We're hearing that from fans, players and media as well as admitting that ourselves. But it's not the easiest job to find an alternative that accommodates everyone's strategic objectives with the geography we have. There are significant financial pressures on all countries. Some are in more difficult situations than others but it's not a healthy financial picture for anyone across the competition."

Even if Australia and South Africa agree to ditch one side each, a 16-team format will still see the conference model retained. Only if three teams are dropped will a round robin be possible. South Africa would find it incredibly difficult to sell axing two teams to its stakeholders when the Sunwolves and Jaguares remain, and a 17-team format simply doesn't work.

Marinos says it is up to the national unions to come up with a solution.

"Yes, it was communicated towards the end of last year there was consideration around South Africa and Australia possibly looking at a change in their current structure. Those conversations are on-going. I wouldn't say it seems unlikely. It's still under consideration, and that's largely an individual national union conversation around what is best for them to be competitive."