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Mitchell said that if he was preparing a side for Test rugby he would be encouraging the sort of contest found in the northern hemisphere because "it prepares you far better" than the Super 12.
The Tri-Nations winning coach said: "The Super 12 does not match the Heineken Cup in intensity or overall examination of players.
"Super 12 game plans are very similar, whereas in the Heineken Cup there is variety in terms of attacks, defences and refereeing.
That variety prepares you for Test rugby far better than the Super 12, and, like the international game, the 'shutdown' comes very quickly in terms of the contest at the breakdown and the speed with which defences press."
