I'm a 100% with you half, but what does the reality of a domestic competition look like.
For all of McLennans grandiose statements, there seems little if any inkling of how it would be done.
We essentially have 5 domestic Rugby teams, at a minimum you would need 8 to start, maybe you could start with 6 but only for a year or two at most.
It just concerns me that there has been absolutely no leaking of any potential stuctures moving forward, so what is the plan.
I think this is mis-characterised. We have two major Unions which have traditionally provided rep teams, have traditional and well established club teams, and more recently each union also has it's own franchise which have displaced the traditional rep team. Then we have have a further three franchises developed from less established Unions. I'd suggest ACT has a well developed and traditional club comp too, but they lack the population for professional expansion. The trick becomes how to integrate the NSW and Qld provincial teams to create new franchises under the two major unions. Melbourne and WA have club comps but not currently at the level of NSW and Qld.
Qld clubs demonstrated a lack of interest for development of new professional teams at the establishment of the NRC. But Qld as a union showed it had the drive and strength needed to pull the Provincial clubs behind two new teams that were organised and managed by the Union itself. That will work to grow from 5 to 6 Domestic pro teams
It seemed to me that NSWRU at the development of the NRC buried their head in the sand to let the Clubs resolve themselves through self negotiated partnerships and other arrangements. To be fair the competition initiation was rushed and with better preparation could be handled with a lot more finesse by RU. And while the implementation was poor in terms of establishing teams with longevity and competitiveness, the club scene still managed to provide a number teams with aspirations in the new comp. It's a different political problem, but one with more promise (in terms of team numbers) if issues can be resolved. That will work (or should do with effort) to grow from 6 to 9 teams. The politics is no harder for two teams than it is for three. In some ways three might be easier as it offers more opportunity for SRU club aspirations.
Both WA and Melbourne I imagine would morph into new arrangements pretty well. ACT is a different matter. There seems to be insufficient population base for a fan base that can manage two professional teams. But the Brumbies could not be left at their current strength if a new comp was to have any chance at reasonably equitable competition. Some form of player movement would be necessary.
Also, don't forget Fiji. Thereby the comp grows to 10.
There are warts all over it to be sure, but so does sticking it out with the Kiwis.