RU in Aus is such a **** show.
Obviously many factors but I've always wondered how much the scaling of competition is a factor
They have Shute Shield and QPR which I expect are comparable to NSW Cup, Q Cup
Their 'National' sub Super Rugby competition, NRC wrapped up in 2019
Then from what is basically Cup standard (maybe a touch over, but in terms of exposure may as well be Cup standard) they go all the way up to Super Rugby, where there are only 5 Aus Clubs compared to 16 Aus NRL Clubs
Competitively Super Rugby is saved by the fact it has the other Nations involved but that doesn't do a huge amount for the sports profile around Aus.
Thinking about it, ABs gear is still pretty common, Wallabies gear if there are games soon, but feel like I virtually never see Super club gear being worn around. Especially the NZ clubs I feel like I used to see their tops in public a lot. More likely to see a kiwi in some NRL top or SOO (usually QLD) now than Super Rugby, and right up there with ABs gear.
I see as much local/NRL League gear in my gym as I do guys in local Union gear, and no Super gear. The SBW lookalike who is there a lot wears local union gear or NBA tops.
Broadcast deal would be a factor in that, but there is a reason there was not a better deal.