Rugby Australia has offered a muted response to an offer from New Zealand Rugby to sign up teams to a new-look franchise competition in 2021.

A three-month NZR review has concluded Super Rugby should be replaced by a new competition featuring all five existing Kiwi franchises, and a Pacific team and should number eight to 10 teams in total.

That leaves room for two to four Australian teams and removes involvement from any franchises from South Africa, Argentina and Japan.

NZR chief executive Mark Robinson said Australian interest would be sought next week from their current Super teams and other “interested parties” to join the competition.

“We are excited and interested to see what our Australian neighbours will bring to this competition,” Robinson said.

He said the criteria for team entry would be based on high performance and financial elements.

RA chairman Hamish McLennan has previously expressed a desire for all five Super Rugby AU teams to be involved in a future competition.

McLennan described the trans-Tasman relationship as “master-servant” in nature and has threatened to desert New Zealand and set up an Australian-run competition if terms can’t be reached.

An RA statement on Friday gave no indication whether it would support the NZR proposal.

“Rugby Australia acknowledges New Zealand Rugby’s preferred position following their announcement today regarding a potential future provincial competition from 2021 and look forward to working constructively with New Zealand Rugby in the coming weeks,” it read.

“Rugby Australia will also continue its discussions with stakeholders in Australia and is in constant consultation with our valued SANZAAR joint venture partners.”

The statement said RA recognised the need to consider alternative models to Super Rugby given the global disruption caused by COVID-19 and would consider what worked best for Australian rugby interests.