Super Rugby Pacific have confirmed the draw for the 2023 season.
The season will kick off with defending champions Crusaders taking on the Chiefs on February 24, followed by Stephen Larkham’s first game back as ACT Brumbies coach as he faces old rivals Waratahs at the new Allianz Stadium.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2023 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC DRAW
The opening round will also see recent expansion sides Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua face off on Saturday in a quadruple header, closed out by the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels adding another chapter to the rivalry.
“Being able to play regularly in front of home fans, and to travel across the Tasman and around the Pacific is massive for the competition, especially for fans, who can support their teams through a full home schedule,” RA CEO Andy Marinos said in a statement.
“Everyone saw what Super Rugby Pacific had to offer in its first season and all 12 clubs have taken that excitement into the off-season and will be primed for a shot at the title in 2023.”
“There is a real feeling that Super Rugby Pacific is ready for take-off after a successful, but COVID disrupted inaugural season,” New Zealand Rugby General Manager Professional Rugby and Performance, Chris Lendrum added.
“We saw massive potential on the field in 2022, but also some huge challenges off it, so to have a fully integrated and uninterrupted draw in 2023 is great news for the players and the fans.
“I think we are going to see one of Super Rugby’s most competitive seasons.”
Super Rugby Pacific confirmed earlier in the month Super Round will return in Round Two, once again to be held at AAMI Park, Melbourne.
The Blues will have to wait until round four for a grand final rematch against the Crusaders, set to host them on March 18.
Meanwhile, the Drua will play six home matches in Fiji, while Moana Pasifika will take a home match to Apia for the first time in club history.
The 2023 draw will see all 12 teams play a total of 14 matches during the regular season, 11 round-robin fixtures plus three additional rivalry matches.
It also reflects a further emphasis on more family-friendly game-times with 24 of the 91 matches to be played during the day.
Australia Season opener: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies @ Allianz Stadium, Sydney.
Format: 12 teams: Moana Pasifika, Fijian Drua, Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders, Highlanders, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds, Western Force, ACT Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels
14 regular season matches = 11 round-robin matches + 3 rivalry matches
One bye round per team (all byes in Rounds 7, 8 & 9)
Season Length: 18 weeks = 15-week regular season + three-week eight-team playoff series
Total Matches: 91
Super Round: Round 2, Friday-Sunday 3-5 March @ AAMI Park Melbourne.
- Blues: Hurricanes, Highlanders and Crusaders
- Chiefs: Crusaders, Hurricanes and Highlanders
- Crusaders: Blues, Chiefs and Moana Pasifika
- Highlanders: Blues, Force and Chiefs
- Hurricanes: Blues, Chiefs and Moana Pasifika
- Moana Pasifika: Hurricanes, Highlanders and Fijian Drua
- Fijian Drua: Moana Pasifika, Reds and Waratahs
- Western Force: Highlanders, Reds and Rebels
- Queensland Reds: Fijian Drua, Force and ACT Brumbies
- Melbourne Rebels: Western Force, NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies
- NSW Waratahs: Fijian Drua, Melbourne Rebels and ACT Brumbies
- ACT Brumbies: Queensland Reds, Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs
