The ITM Cup may continue next year with midweek games as players give the thumbs up to this year's condensed competition.
The competition is heading into its final round this weekend with the two finals - in the premiership and the championship - to be played on September 3 and 4.
The competition has taken many forms over the years, including being played over a lengthy 15 weeks in 2009-10. But it has had to be severely condensed this year as all rugby had to be finished before the Rugby World Cup starts on September 9.
This has led to midweek games, which has seen a game played every day except Mondays, with the whole competition over inside eight weeks.
Otago Rugby Football Union general manager Richard Reid said a review of the competition was traditionally held at the end of the competition.
Though nothing had been discussed yet about the length of the season he felt they might find somewhere in between what was played this season and previous seasons.
"So maybe it won't be eight weeks, but then won't be as long as 12 and 13 weeks. Somewhere in between, about 10 weeks may be about right," Reid suggested.
"Three games in eight days is a bit tough for the players. Maybe three games in 12 days would be more suitable. But I think by playing games midweek it gives the competition some impetus. I don't know whether you need to play two games a night during the week."
Playing a shorter season would have little financial impact on players as they were paid over 12 months.
Reid said it was hard to assess whether gate takings were affected by rugby being played in the condensed period.
Otago was not a good guide as it has had a unique year with farewelling Carisbrook and then playing games at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
"If you have a good year then gate takings could be up to 10 to 12% of your turnover which is significant. If you take away the non-Super 15 cities then places like Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton aren't doing that well while crowds at places like New Plymouth, Invercargill and Napier are doing all right."
New Zealand Rugby Players' Association chief executive Rob Nichol said the players had really enjoyed the condensed competition.
More players were getting playing time, and that was exposing players to the new competition.
"It [the format] was forced on us because we believed in giving it a decent crack ... and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. The guys are enjoying it," Nichol said.
More playing and less training was enjoyed by the players, he said.
In November, the association would have a conference which would include players from all teams and the NZRU would also be invited.
Nichol said the competition was locked in for next year to be 12-weeks long but could change and may shift to a shorter length, down to nine or even eight weeks.
He said broadcasting every game was very important for the players. He agreed crowds may be down but ratings were up and said issues over crowds was a larger problem.
"This is not just an ITM Cup issue but a wider issue. I think we've got to find a much better way to engage with the fans and provide a compelling case on why fans would go to the games."
A Sky TV spokeswoman said it was company policy to not release ratings for programmes but she said the company was delighted with the live ITM Cup matches' popularity during the week.
