Former Sharks flyhalf extends Japan stay
NEWS: Sunwolves flyhalf Garth April has signed a deal with Japanese Top League club Shimizu Blue Sharks.
April previously represented the NTT Communications Shining Arcs in 2018 and 2019, will join former Stormers and Bulls centre Johnny Kotze as Shimizu Blue Sharks’ new recruits.
The 28-year-old played 21 Super Rugby matches for the Sharks before heading to Japan to join Sunwolves at the start of the 2020 season.
The flyhalf has been in fine form for the Sunwoles, scoring 34 points in five games – including three tries.
*Also read: No Sunwolves in Australia’s Super reboot
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Sunwolves won’t be a part of the rebooted Australian Super Rugby competition with time and logistics counting against them.
While all parties were hopeful the Tokyo team could join the four current Australian Super Rugby side, as well as the Western Force, in a 10-week competition starting July 4, it’s now highly unlikely.
With international borders remaining closed Rugby Australia can’t afford to wait on government approval for the Sunwolves, who would then have to be quarantined for two weeks, pushing back a competition re-start which already trails the NRL and AFL.
RA will already likely have to accommodate the Perth-based Force on the eastern seaboard.
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