Big change to Super Rugby Pacific schedule due to Covid chaos

Travel restrictions caused by Covid-19 have led to next year’s Super Rugby Pacific schedule being changed.

The Queensland Reds will host the Melbourne Rebels in the opening round of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition after the draw was revised due to Covid-19-caused travel restrictions.

The new schedule retains the same competition format of a full round-robin competition, but the six New Zealand-based teams and the six Australian-based teams, which include Fijian Drua, will play their opening eight matches on different sides of the Tasman.

“We believe these changes will allow us to navigate the ongoing challenges of Covid-19, while ensuring we maintain the integrity of the draw and the format of the new Super Rugby Pacific competition,” Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos said.

“It’s been a challenging environment over the last two years, but we’re thankful to our teams and our partners in New Zealand Rugby, SANZAAR and our broadcasters for their support as we worked through this process together.

“This is an exciting new era for Rugby in the Pacific.”

A Reds-Rebels battle will feature in the opening round of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

The Reds-Rebels clash at Suncorp Stadium, as well as a match between Western Force and the Brumbies at HBF Park, will take place on February 19,

The Waratahs will open the inaugural season of the new competition on Australian soil a night earlier against Fijian Drua at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue.

Earlier on the same night in New Zealand, the competition will kick off in Auckland with the clash between the Blues and Moana Pasifika.

The competition’s “Super Round”, in which all 12 teams will play in Melbourne, will now take place on April’s Anzac weekend (Round 10).

Originally published as Big change to Super Rugby Pacific schedule due to Covid chaos