It has like one (limited) use. I usually have one in my inventory. It's super op for events where enemies continually rush you like the alter on the moon, blind well, and the seraph towers when they were here. Can stand in a rift all day long during those and farm bounties and catayst kills. Pair it with bottom tree void for devour heals then use a empowering rift. Yeah Tommys rips in that situation. Super useless in most situations but yeah, for that one situation it is very very good so I wouldn't want it removed or anything. Kind of like that tool in my belt when I want it.

Because there was no need for what it does, and other abilities did it better if you wanted it.

Yeah pretty much. If it increased the benefits when allies touch the Rift? That’s beneficial. On paper giving your Rift more time sounds good but when it comes to many PvE situations you’ll end up moving somewhere else.