The Tokyo-based Sunwolves, currently in the Australian conference, will be cut from Super Rugby in 2021 when the competition reverts to 14 teams.

“SANZAAR has announced that following a substantial review of Super Rugby over the last 18 months via a strategic planning process the immediate future of Super Rugby rests with a 14-team, round robin, competition format,” the governing body said in a statement on Friday.

“The revised format will come into operation and kick-off in 2021. The Sunwolves from Japan will drop out of the existing 15-team Super Rugby competition at the end of the 2020 season.”

The Sunwolves, who have won just seven of their 43 matches since joining the competition in 2016, avoided the chop when the Western Force, along with South Africa’s Southern Kings and Cheetahs, were cut from the 2018 competition.

Reverting to a 14-team round-robin format will see the removal of the current three-conference system which has proven unpopular with fans and broadcasters.

But it also means each team will only play 13 games during the home-and-a-way campaign, instead of 16 they play in the conference format.

The NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds, Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels will only play three Australian derbies every two seasons from 2021 onwards, as opposed to three a year under the current system.

Rugby Australia chief Raelene Castle was to front a media conference in Sydney on Friday afternoon to address the Super Rugby shake-up.

But in announcing the changes by a press release, SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said: “The decision to further consolidate the competition format to a 14-team round robin was not taken lightly”.

“It has involved some detailed analysis and a thorough review of the current and future rugby landscape, tournament costs, commercial and broadcast considerations and player welfare in line with our Strategic Plan.

“Competition integrity, affordability and a competitive playing environment were further key drivers to ensure that an optimal player development pathway remains in place to feed into international rugby.

“Factoring in the above analysis and review a 14 or 15-team round-robin format were considered, as these models delivered best against the criteria we were seeking, including a format that would see each team playing every other team leading into a finals series.”