Dan McKellar has been given every opportunity to get the Waratahs back on the winners list early, with his new Super Rugby Pacific side handed a dream draw.
After finishing last in 2024, McKellar, who was announced as Darren Coleman’s replacement in July, will host three sides who finished in the bottom six in the previous season to kick start their campaign.
McKellar’s Waratahs will open their campaign against the Highlanders on Friday February 14, before enjoying an early bye in round two.
The Waratahs will then host the Drua and Force before taking on their traditional rivals the Queensland Reds on March 15 in Brisbane.
Les Kiss’ Reds will also be licking their lips early after being handed a first-up bye before hosting Moana Pasifika on Friday February 21. Kiss’ Reds then take on the Force in Perth and Crusaders away.
Dan McKellar’s new-look Waratahs side have been given a dream start to the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. (Photo by Pete Dovgan/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Rugby Australia officials will be quietly pleased with the soft starts presented to both of their traditional heavyweight states.
The Brumbies, meanwhile, have a trickier start to their campaign as they travel to Suva to take on the Drua on Saturday February 15. They also take on the Chiefs and Blues away in consecutive weekends over round three and four.
Simon Cron’s Western Force will hope they can get their season off to a strong start against Moana Pasifika, but it might not be the easy task it once was with Tana Umaga’s side luring several quality additions, including Ardie Savea.
Click here to see the full 2025 Super Rugby Pacific draw
The Brumbies will get their season underway against the Hurricanes. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
After Melbourne previously hosted Super Round, the concept has been shelved in 2025.
The Waratahs will also have one of their two bye-rounds on the Anzac weekend, with the Reds to host the Blues on Friday April 25. The Chiefs will also host the Force on the same night while the Brumbies will take on the Hurricanes in Canberra on Saturday April 26.
There also only three Sunday afternoon fixtures.
The 2025 season will include 77 round robin matches across an extended 16-round regular season, culminating in a six-team finals series.
Each of the 11 teams will play 14 regular season matches, consisting of seven home games and seven away games, and be allocated two byes.
“We are delighted to unveil the draw for 2025 so members and fans can begin circling dates in their diaries and making plans for the season ahead,” Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said.
“From Suva to Sydney, Canberra to Christchurch, and even a blockbuster in Tonga, our competition will again deliver its brand of fast, physical and thrilling rugby, starring some of our game’s greatest athletes.
“Traditional rivalries will be reignited and new challengers emerge as the reigning champion Blues launch their first title defence in more than two decades.”
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