Super Rugby draw gives Waratahs a Force to be reckoned with first up

The NSW Waratahs have a mountain to climb if they are to defend their Super Rugby crown this season with their draw presenting a tough road ahead for the champions.

Waratahs Israel Folau offloads for a try by Waratahs Taqele Naiyaravoro during the NSW Waratahs v Chiefs Super Rugby trial match at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

The NSW Waratahs have a mountain to climb if they are to defend their Super Rugby crown this season with their draw presenting a tough road ahead for the champions.

The Waratahs are facing a tiring end to their campaign with both of their byes coming well before the halfway point of the season in rounds three and eight.

Waratahs draw 2015

Rd 1: v Western Force (home)
Rd 2: v Melbourne Rebels (away)
Rd 3: Bye
Rd 4: v Queensland Reds (away)
Rd 5: v Highlanders (away)
Rd 6: v ACT Brumbies (away)
Rd 7: v Blues (home)
Rd 8: Bye
Rd 9: v Stormers
Rd 10: v Hurricanes (away)
Rd 11: v Melbourne Rebels (home)
Rd 12: v ACT Brumbies (away)
Rd 13: v Western Force (away)
Rd 14: v Sharks (home)
Rd 15: v Crusaders (home)
Rd 16: v Lions (away)
Rd 17: v Cheetahs (away)
Rd 18: v Queensland Reds (home)
Qualifying final: June 19
Semi-final: June 26
Final: July 4

The Tahs will play eight home-and-away matches with their opponents including every side except the Pretoria-based Bulls and the Waikato Chiefs.

Local rugby supporters will again benefit from the draw with each Australian franchise to face each other twice.

Avoiding joint competition favourites the Chiefs means a mouth-watering showdown between Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Folau, in full competition swing, will not be seen barring a finals showdown.

The side will begin their Super Rugby title defence with a repeat of last year’s season opener against the Western Force in Sydney on Sunday.

The Tahs will enter the clash with confidence knowing that the Force are winless in all nine of their first round clashes since their debut in the competition in 2006.

NSW fans then face a long wait to see their heroes after the opener with the side set to spend over a month away before they return to Sydney to battle the ACT Brumbies on March 22.

The Canterbury Crusaders will have to be patient before they can try exact revenge on the Tahs with a grand final rematch not set down until the 23rd of May. However, in a big win for Australian rugby fans, the clash will be played in Sydney.

The Waratahs face a tough end to the season with an away tour of South Africa in rounds 16 and 17 before they conclude their regular season with a home game against the Queensland Reds.

Israel Folau will play a key role from the back for the Waratahs in 2015. Picture: Brett Costello