Blues celebrate winning the 2021 Super Rugby Transtasman trophy. Photo / Photosport
Super Rugby Pacific will kick off at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland where competition new-comers Moana Pasifika will host the inaugural match of a new era, against the Brumbies, on Friday February 18, 2022.
The birth of Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua, whose first match will be away to the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday 19 February, are part of the Super Rugby Pacific draw announced today by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Rugby Australia (RA).
The regular season features Super Round Melbourne, which will see all 12 teams gather at AAMI Park in Melbourne in Round 2 for three straight days of double-headers (25-27 February).
Each team will play a total of 14 matches during the regular season, 11 round-robin fixtures plus the introduction of three additional rivalry matches which will see each team play a home and away series against three other teams.
All 12 clubs will have their bye in either Round 7, Round 8 or Round 9 providing a fair chance for all teams to recharge as they launch their final push for a place in the grand final.
All 91 matches will be broadcast live on Sky TV, including an eight-team playoff series which will kick-off in the first week of June.
NZR general manager of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said the draw was easy to understand and creates a level playing field for the teams involved.
"The draw reflects the new look and feel of the competition whether it's the historic opening match at Mt Smart Stadium, the Super Round, the traditional rivalries that have built up over more than 20 years, or the first time Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua go head-to-head on Anzac weekend.
"We have two new clubs who are building competitive squads right now, and ten other clubs who are excited by a fresh challenge. I think the inaugural season of Super Rugby Pacific will be a true celebration for rugby in the Pacific and will showcase the immense playing and coaching talent in the region. We can't wait to get started next February."
New Zealand's five Super Rugby clubs the Blues, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Crusaders and Highlanders, as well as Moana Pasifika, will confirm their 38-man squads on Monday, 22 November.
Rugby Australia Chief Executive Andy Marinos added: "It's fantastic to be able to confirm our draw for the 2022 competition, and from the outset, I'd like to thank our teams, broadcasters, New Zealand Rugby and Sanzaar for their co-operation and collaboration in getting to this point.
"Super Rugby Pacific is fresh and exciting as we look to provide fans a new game-day experience every time they go to a match … We will also host Anzac, Heritage, Cultural, and Women in Rugby Rounds, as we acknowledge, recognise and celebrate the communities who make our game so great, and I'm excited to see this play out during match days."
As well as a first look at the two competition newcomers, the blockbuster first round will also deliver a classic southern derby between the 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa champion Crusaders and the Highlanders at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch.
The Hurricanes and Chiefs will start the season on the road against the Waratahs and Reds respectively in Sydney and Brisbane, while the final match of Round 1 is an all-Aussie affair between the Force and the Rebels.
The full Super Rugby Pacific draw can be found here.
Format:
• 12 teams: Moana Pasifika, Fijian Drua, Blues, Chiefs Hurricanes, Crusaders, Highlanders, Waratahs, Reds, Force, Brumbies, Rebels
• 14 regular season matches = 11 round-robin matches + 3 rivalry matches
• One bye round per team (all byes in Rounds 7,8 & 9)
Playoffs:
• 8-team playoffs format - QFs: June 3-5; SFs: 10-11 June; Final: 18 June.
• Total matches: 91
• Season length: 18 weeks = 15-week regular season + three-week playoff series
• Opening match: Friday 18 February: Moana Pasifika v Brumbies @ Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.
• Super Round Melbourne: Round 2, Friday-Sunday 25-27 February @ AAMI Park Melbourne Park (Moana Pasifika v Waratahs; Highlanders v Blues; Hurricanes v Chiefs; Crusaders v Reds; Rebels v Brumbies; Fijian Drua v Force).
New Zealand team's home and away rivalry matches:
Blues:
Highlanders (H) Rd 11; (A) Rd 2
Chiefs (H) Rd 12; (A) Rd 8
Moana Pasifika (H) Rd 7; (A) Rd 13
Chiefs:
Blues (H) Rd 8; (A) Rd 12
Crusaders (H) Rd 7; (A) Rd 15
Brumbies (H) Rd 13; (A) Rd 6
Crusaders:
Chiefs (H) Rd 15; (A) Rd 7
Highlanders (H) Rd 1; (A) Rd 6
Hurricanes (H) Rd 12; (A) Rd 3
Highlanders:
Blues (H) Rd 2; (A) Rd 11
Crusaders (H) Rd 6; (A) Rd 1
Hurricanes (H) Rd 9; (A) Rd 4
Hurricanes:
Crusaders (H) Rd 3; (A) Rd 12
Highlanders (H) Rd 4; (A) Rd 9
Moana Pasifika (H) Rd 11; (A) Rd 15
Themed rounds:
Women in Rugby Round – Round 3 (4-5 March)
Culture Round – Round 6 (25-26 March)
Anzac Round – Round 10 (22-23 April)
Heritage Round – Round 12 (6-8 May)