Former Wallabies captain Ben Mowen feels criticism of Australian rugby across the ditch is generated by media, not those who play the game week in, week out.
Mowen, who returned to Australia last year after five years in France, said he felt the commentary in New Zealand media was at a "disconnect" with its players and the general population.
Rugby Australia's top officials, most notably chairman Hamish McLennan, have been vocal about standing up to the Kiwis as they debate the best competition for 2021.
New Zealand Rugby recently announced its recommendation of an 8-10 team competition that could include as few as two Australian teams, something for which Rugby Australia is unlikely to put its hand up.
Expressions of interest were invited to be submitted by July 31 but Rugby AU is not expected to submit any with a commitment to having at least four professional Australian teams.
Mowen, who spent time playing with legendary All Black Conrad Smith in his time at Pau, said the perception that New Zealand rugby looked down on Australia was not accurate.
"I think the important thing to highlight is it's really disappointing that the New Zealand media speak like that," he said.
I've played with some of great players from New Zealand and they don't ever speak like that. From a playing point of view, they love playing Australian sides.
"I don't think what the media's put out is reflective of their views and it's disappointing it's been construed that way.
"It's not a fair representation of the New Zealand people - the arrogance of some of that is certainly not reflective of the people over there, there's a disconnect between people and what's in the media."
Mowen said he felt the best competition model moving forward was a 10-team trans-Tasman tournament for 2021 with the possibility of expansion beyond that.
"I definitely think for 2021 the best format is five from Australia and five from New Zealandnd five, then look the year after that to expand to Japanese sides and maybe a South Pacific team.
"Hopefully we can get some common ground in that, we have a strong relationship with New Zealand and we've both helped each other grow so hopefully that can continue.
That's the type of product that would work for Australia and New Zealand with time zones, quality of opposition."
Mowen said the Force's competitiveness in Super Rugby AU, despite their lack of wins, showed that Australia could support five teams.
"Although they're yet to get a win, they've played some amazing football and coming out from WA you can see a clear pathway.
"It would have been difficult for Force to go from potentially exhibition type games to Super Rugby but they've stood up and I think they will jag a couple of wins and that will add to our player pool."
Mowen, who is suiting up for Easts in this year's Queensland Premier Rugby competition and is a coach with the Junior Wallabies, said it was exciting to see so many U20s players make an impact during Super Rugby AU.
"Still a lot of unknowns leading into 2021 for lots of our players but it's been really rewarding with Super Rugby Australia to see so many guys in and around the Junior Wallabies squad play Super Rugby," he said.
"That they've performed really well as well has been really cool and it's inspiring for the wider group and the Junior Wallabies program."
The Hospital Challenge Cup kicks off on Saturday August 1, LIVE on qld.rugby and Rugby Xplorer.
