Soup kicks off last week of Jan.

https://www.planetrugby.com/sanzaar-unveils-early-super-rugby-start-for-2020/

Slip, slop, slap.

Naturally assuming the teams can rustle up enough players after the NH Club Gannets have picked over the bones

The Highlanders will be fine. I hear Southland B are an all-consuming fire this year.

Feel for the Highlanders - a first round 'bye' is an awful idea. The sooner we go back to an even number of teams and scrap the first round bye the better.

If we're serious about player welfare, giving a team a week off in the first round, effectively removing one of their rest weeks during the season, isn't a great look. Not to mention playing against a team in the second round who has a head-start in terms of match-fitness/cohesion.

Early kick off times are good.

Well for me anyways.

Not sure how an early Feb game at 7pm in 40 degrees in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane will go...

Chiefs draw is tough - over first six weeks I think. Byes are spaces out so ok - nice finish as I think 3 out of 4 at home but 1 might be Suva game.

Actually no Suva game.

On an unbeaten run so far who needs the... Mitre 10 Cup is it?

Buenos Aires in Jan / Feb is an oven.

At least those are late evening kick off times...