When a near 60-game regular like Lachie Anderson can see the value of Super Rugby AUS, it's a good marker that the comp is overdue and well worthwhile.
The quickie comp of three rounds and a final means players aren't caught in a loop of training for training's sake at this time of the year.
They are playing games, pushing a case for selection, building skills in match situations and reviewing and adjusting after games.
In the case of the Reds, there are a whole bunch of players out to impress a new head coach in Vern Cotter.
We will see who does on Saturday afternoon at Ballymore Stadium from 1:30pm AEST when there are a bunch of appealing storylines for this match against the Western Force.
It's not just Tom Lynagh's long-awaited first start of 2026 to get some match miles in his legs at flyhalf.
How Buildcorp Reds Academy products Will Ross, Tom Robinson and Josh Takai perform in the starting side will be interesting while Kenny Harris and Cooper Stewart have that chance from the bench.
Those who lament club performances not counting as much as they should zero in on halfback Mosiah Christian (Norths) and centre Jake Pappin (Easts) because hot club form is exactly why they have been picked.
"It's been great, over these past few weeks, noticing the confidence back in his body and Tom having that extra step in his stride," Anderson said of Lynagh.
"On the training field, we are seeing how confident he is in directing the show. He can get some minutes, build some resilience and set himself for higher things. I'm really excited for him."
Code convert Zac Lomax will be an intriguing figure in the centres for the Force as will dynamic Indigenous winger Wallace Charlie, a Force player but a Cairns boy at heart.
Australian rugby has jumped into end of season comps before as far back as the Ricoh National Championship (1998-2000) in the early days of Super Rugby.
The one-off Australian Rugby Championship (2007) and the six-season run for the National Rugby Championship (2014-19) were other experiments which didn't last.
The ongoing success of New Zealand's National Provincial Championship (NPC) has underpinned the five Kiwi Super Rugby teams since 1996.
Super Rugby AUS fills a void for sure.
"Firstly, we have a really balanced squad. We have some young boys who have come through our Academy and other guys who have had outstanding club seasons," Anderson said.
"At the other end, you have guys like Tom Lynagh, Josh Flook, Ben Volavola and Matt Faessler with the experience and knowledge to help bring those players through.
"You ask what this comp brings? It's 20-year-old Josh Takai playing with Tom Lynagh on the inside and 'Flooky' on his outside. What an opportunity for him to learn from...and have fun with.
"We have new coaches in the building so there have been changes.
"We are fortunate at the Reds with the backend of the year with Super Rugby AUS and our four-game tour (to Japan and Italy).
"It will be great to see how it works between the white lines with some new coaches and players rather than wait for the start of Super Rugby next year."
There is is in a nutshell. Australian players need to play more top-tier games. Super Rugby AUS offers a bridging level and all clubs should be better off heading into 2027.
