Japan's Top League has gained a major global promotional boost as Quade Cooper's Kintetsu Liners have been put on a collision course with Robbie Deans' Panasonic Wild Knights.
More than 1500 caps of Waratahs experience has walked out the door, but NSW coach Rob Penney believes his side has the potential to stun the doubters by winning this year's Super Rugby AU title.
Waratahs boss Rob Penney has welcomed back three key players from ahead of a must-win Australian derby clash against the Brumbies.
Under the guidance of new coach Rob Penney, can the Waratahs overcome their lack of star power in their backline to re-claim a spot in this year's Super Rugby play-offs?
Super Rugby may have diminished in fan interest in recent years, but that hasn't stopped it churning out talent... check out the RugbyPass Super Rugby Under-23 squads.
Australia are bidding to win their first World Rugby Under-20 Championship on Saturday, but they will have their work cut out to get the better of defending champions France in Rosario.
Nine returning players and twelve Super Rugby squad members are the key features of the Junior Wallabies squad named for the Oceania Championship.
Every year, the rugby public get to see the latest talent that the Australian Super Rugby franchises have managed to unearth in the off season.
The Waratahs have, on average, made the play-offs once every two years since their first semi-final appearance in 2002. With a record like that, anything less than a quarter-final outing will be disappointing for Daryl Gibson's men.
