Super Rugby fans, are you worried? That long-famed competition is set to get underway at the end of the month but not present will be a whole host of its usual stars, and world stars at that. Meanwhile in Japan, there is only excitement, as the likes of Malcolm Marx, Christian Lealiifano, RG Snyman, Sam Whitelock, David Pocock, Damien de Allende, Ryan Crotty, Duane Vermeulen, Kieran Read, Dan Carter, Brodie Retallick and Samu Kerevi prepare to launch into domestic action. The Japanese Top League gets underway on Sunday, andRugby Pass carries the story of who to look out for – many of Japan’s World Cup stars also – is there a world power shift underway? Staying with the southern hemisphere and referee Glen Jackson announced his retirement from the game on Friday, with his missing out on the World Cup a factor. Jackson, 44, took up the whistle after finishing his playing career with Saracens in 2010, and stuff.co.nz carries the story of his recognition of Aaron Smith as a standout player. Sticking with the theme of Japan and New Zealand but throwing in a bit of Europe, Wales have announced their summer tour for 2020. Meanwhile, in-form Scarlets and Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has been speaking in-depth to theBBC ahead of the Guinness Six Nations, and the huge Scarlets v Toulon clash this weekend. Also in Europe this weekend there’s a whole host of exceptional match-ups including Clermont v Ulster and Glasgow Warriors v Exeter –The 42 has Alan Quinlan looking at potentially the best of the lot – Racing 92 vs Munster.
