The countdown begins:

Super Rugby returns to our stadiums, TV screens and devices on Friday, February 15. The Chiefs will unfurl the (un)welcome mat for the Highlanders at FMG Stadium in Hamilton for the first game of the season on this date, followed by the Brumbies trying to floor the Rebels at GIO Stadium in Canberra a few hours later.

Bemoaning the early start to the rugby season is nothing new. Last year’s competition started just two days later, on February 17. It’s called summer rugby.

1. First, the good news.

This is World Cup year, which means Super Rugby will be enhanced. It’s true. With no domestic tests scheduled for June, the competition will run continuously through to the final which is scheduled for July 6.

It’s a win-win for everyone. The Super Rugby coaches won’t have to fret about their All Blacks suffering injuries and the fans can remain engaged from start to finish.

2. The World Cup will also add value to Super Rugby in terms of generating interest around who will, or won’t, be selected for the global tournament in Japan.

New Zealand rugby nerds who love to concentrate on digging the data won’t be focusing solely on who, or won’t, make the All Blacks squad for the defence of the Webb Ellis Cup.

It will also be worth their while to monitor the performances of teams from other countries, the South African ones especially. Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus might be allowed to cherry pick big ticket players from the northern hemisphere competitions, but it’s his domestic market that will provide, potentially, a bolter or three.

3. Jot down the Blues v Crusaders fixture on February 16.

It should be on the list of ‘must be watched’ Super Rugby episodes, even if you don’t have any loyalties to either side.

In fact this contest may be more enjoyable for those who don’t have a vested interest; it means they can analyse the matchups without prejudice. For example, the midfield scrapes between the Blues’ Sonny Bill Williams and Ma’a Nonu and the Crusaders’ Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue are sure to entertain as the jostling for places in the All Blacks squad begins nice and early.

4. Nipple line, waistband or the knee cap?

It’s almost guaranteed some poor fellows are going to be concussed this season and, inevitably, debate about how to reduce brain injuries will fire up. Keeping tacklers away from ball carrier’s head, anything to prevent the brain being rattled, must help; it’s simply a question what part of the body will have an imaginary line drawn across it, as a mark of how low the hits must be, by the game’s law makers. Be certain, this issue is not going to disappear.

5. There will be off-field dramas.

Young athletes and grog mix easily, but the relationship can be a rocky one.

In 2018 it was Rebels and Japan test back rower Amanaki Mafi who dived into infamy when he allegedly attacked teammate Lopeti Timani following a loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Waratahs halfback and