Payto & Panda: Japan makes Super sense

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PLAYER defections have become a hot topic in the game, so it's nice to bring you some good news on an important retention for Australian rugby.

Nathan Charles is on the verge of re-signing with the ARU and Western Force in a deal that will keep him here until the end of 2016.

Charles, 25, has been a high-priority target for clubs in Europe because he carries a German passport, which allows him to be classed as a local and doesn't count towards foreign quota.

But while the cash is appealing, Charles is strongly driven by his goal of playing in next year's World Cup and beyond for the Wallabies.

Having made his Test debut last month, Charles is desperate to play more games in the gold jersey.

Charles told us in a text that it is "nice to have my future sorted".

The only cystic fibrosis sufferer in the world who plays professional contact sport, Charles is an invaluable campaigner for the fight against the disease and in the process has become a shining light for Australian rugby.

***

HERE is a photograph that Israel Folau knew was being taken and was happy to pose for.

After a chance meeting with NRL head Todd Greenberg at the Allianz Stadium cafe was snapped and sent to the media, sparking claims Folau was destined to return to league, the Wallabies superstar made his frustrations clear on Twitter yesterday.

This image paints a far more realistic picture of Folau's future.

Here he is with the son of former Wallaby and Sunday Telegraph columnist Brendan Cannon, who revealed in a recent column that his youngest boy had changed his name from Samuel Thomas Cannon to Samuel "Izzy Folau" Cannon.

Folau is loving rugby, and is well aware of his impact on young fans.

While the NRL would love to have him back, Folau is now a global star who understands his immense potential in rugby, which is why he consistently talks about building a legacy in the 15-man code.

Israel Folau meets with Samuel Cannon. Source: News Corp Australia

***

AUSTRALIA'S top female referee Amy Perrett will join a small but distinguished club tomorrow when she officiates her first Shute Shield game between Sydney Uni and Gordon.

Perrett will join Roberta Barnett (2008) and Sarah Duncan (2011) as the only women to have wielded the whistle in Sydney's premier competition when she refs the main game at Uni no.1.

The 24-year-old, who has previously run the line in Shute Shield games, and reffed men in lower grades and Kentwell Cup Grand Finals, said blokes were often surprised to see her run out, but soon accepted that she knows her stuff.

"I have mostly found the guys to be really respectful, to be honest," Perrett told us yesterday.

"Sometimes they're a bit shocked to see me running around with them but by about half-time it's out of their system and when they've figured out I know the game really well, there's a good level of respect there."

Perrett will represent Australia at the Women's World Cup next month in Paris, and also referees on the women's sevens circuit. She made her Test debut as a Women's Six Nations referee earlier this year in Scotland.

She believes there is nothing holding her back from pursuing higher honours in rugby, but is aiming more for the Rio Olympic Games than an historic Super Rugby role.

"That'd be more a dream for me than anything with the men's," she said.

"I am very excited to have a chance to do the Shute Shield and it should be perfect preparation for the World Cup."

Ryde referee Amy Perrett will referee a Shute Shield game. Source: Supplied

***

THE Mick Jagger curse is about to hit the Super Rugby finals, as we can reveal in this exclusive picture.

The rock God has a dubious reputation in sports, with any team he supports invariably crashing out of whatever tournament they play.

Brazilian soccer fans dubbed him Pé Frio - which translates as "cold foot", a term used to describe individuals who bring about bad luck - during the recent World Cup.

Jagger was supporting Brazil when they bombed 7-1 to Germany in the semi-final.

In the 2010 World Cup, Jagger supported England, the US and Brazil in separate games – all of who lost their respective matches.

So here's to the Chiefs.

Mick Jagger has arrived. Source: AFP

***

BULLDOGS coach Des Hasler has denied speaking to Tahs star Kurtley Beale, who has held a further meeting with the ARU as they bid to re-sign him for next year.

Hasler, who was spotted watching the Tahs in the stands a fortnight ago at Allianz Stadium and is reportedly targeting Beale as a fullback, said: "I haven't spoken to any Waratahs players full stop."

NSW coach Michael Cheika said of Beale: "I think he's had further chat with the ARU, it's hopefully headed in the right direction.

"What I like about Beale, there's all this stuff going on and he's just kept it so level ad is training hard, it's not even bothered him at all.

"It shows a really good state of mind of the player, and I think that's been reflected in his performances no doubt about it."

***

BRINGING Japan into Super Rugby makes the same sense for SANZAR as embracing Argentina, according to Bill Pulver.

But after an announcement that the 18th Super Rugby team in 2016 will be either Japan or Singapore-based, the ARU boss was quick to point out that doesn't qualify as an Aussie endorsement.

"You can understand strategic rationale behind Japan, but not at any price," Pulver said.

"We are obviously pleased it is going to be an Asian team. To some extent we see the same sort of strategic intent that existed to bring Argentina exists to bring Japan in. But at the end of the day we need to wait until these two tenders come in and assess them from there.

"Until you see the tenders, it is impossible to make the call."

Though Japan seems like a lay-down misere, Singapore has firmed as a strong favourite in recent weeks due to South Africa's objection to the long travel times required for them to reach Tokyo.

The clunky four-conference expansion model means the Asian team will be in a South African-dominated conference.

The possibility of Singapore getting the team – likely with a transplanted team of Pacific Islanders – has left many in Australian rugby dumbfounded, and Eddie Jones wrote recently SANZAR's integrity would be shot if Japan was overlooked.

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