The Super Rugby competition expanded to 15 teams in 2011 with the inclusion of the Melbourne Rebels and will also underwent a significant format revamp.
The new 3-conference system saw the 5 teams within each country play their 4 "local" rivals on a home and away basis. Highlights included:
More regular season matches in Australia
40 Super Rugby matches played in Australia each season as opposed to 26 under the previous Super 14 structure (an increase of more than 50%).
The HSBC Waratahs played 12 of 16 regular-season games on Australian soil – with only 4 matches overseas.
More local derbies in Australia
There was 20 all-Australian local derbies in Australia each season compared to the previous 6. Local derbies are traditionally the highest rating matches in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The HSBC Waratahs played 8 games against other Australian teams in 2011, and also played 4 of the 5 teams out of the NZ conference (2 home, 2 away).
More playoffs
50% more play-off matches at the end of the regular season matches. The top team in each conference qualified for the finals and the other 3 teams with the most number of competition points qualified for the playoffs – regardless from which conference they came.