Former Australian Rugby Union CEO John O'Neill says three teams should be cut from the Super Rugby tournament. 

Super Rugby expanded from 15 to 18 teams last year, resulting in a much-criticised, confusing four conference, two group format.

O'Neill wants the competition to return to 15 sides, with the Jaguares from Argentina, Sunwolves from Japan and an SA franchise, most likely the Kings, being axed.

'It will take some very bold decision-making [to fix Super Rugby],' O'Neill told the Daily Telegraph on Friday. 'Am I suggesting it's an easy solution? No, it's not. But you cannot continue with an 18-team competition, which isn't even a genuine competition.

'What is the best competition structure that is ultimately and unambiguously in the best interests of Australian rugby?' asked O'Neill. 'Personally, I would not have agreed with South Africa going to six teams. That's a domestic issue that they should have been told to sort out.'

However, O'Neill insisted Australia should not lose a team. The Reds and Force finished 15th and 16th respectively on last year's combined log, with only the Kings and Sunwolves below them. And on Friday, the Rebels lost 56-18 to the Blues in Melbourne.

'I can't possibly agree with that. It is not the fault of the five Australian franchises that this Super 18 competition is a disaster.'

He said the current format across five countries and 17 times zones with matches being played from Thursday to Sunday was flawed.

'Latitudinal competitions – east/west competitions – do not work.'