The Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs will face off a rare non-Super Rugby clash in September as part of the Santos Festival of Rugby in Narrabri.
The two-day event will see the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women's side face off in the marquee games.
Watch every game of Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
It will see a host of Sevens Rugby, country clashes and community events in the Northern NSW town across September 20-21 at Dangar Park.
In the past, the festival has been used as a pre-season trial, alternating between Narrabri (2021, 2023 and 2025) and Roma (2022 and 2024).
“Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs are committed to taking the game beyond the major cities of Australia and to the nation’s regional and rural centres,” Rugby Australia Director Commerical and Marketing James Durbin said in a statement.
“The Santos Festival of Rugby is an example of how the Waratahs are approaching this responsibility, as well as its continuing support for men's and women's rugby.
"The Festival not only presents two great games between two major States for the many rugby fans in Narrabri and its surrounds to watch.
“It will also do what rugby does so well...unite those communities as they cheer for one or the other of the sides but in a convivial and social environment.
“Rugby’s influence as a force of unity in rural Australia cannot be underestimated. The Festival champions the game's core values."
The Reds Super Rugby Pacific's side enter as the defending Santos Cup champions, breaking their drought with a 32-7 pre-season win in Roma last year.
“The Santos Festival of Rugby has truly carved out a place with the way it has brought top-tier rugby and the grassroots game to regional centres,” said Queensland Rugby Union Chief Executive David Hanham.
“We are proud to be delivering this unique event alongside Santos. The commitment to develop the game for rugby fans and families in the bush so they can enjoy it on and off the field is something we both strongly believe in.
“To have Australian rugby’s oldest rivalry between Queensland and NSW underpinning it is something all sports lovers can relate to.
“We are grateful to Santos for their ongoing support of a wonderful event.”
“From the moment we arrived in Roma, we enjoyed wonderful hospitality and a show of what country rugby is all about. We are expecting the same welcome in Narrabri,” Reds coach Les Kiss added.
