The Queensland Reds face a testing start to the 2014 Super Rugby season, with just one home match in the opening six rounds.
The draw for next season, which runs from February 15 until August 2, has been released with the Australian action starting on February 22 with a Canberra clash between the Reds and Brumbies.
The Brisbane-based franchise then tackle arch-rivals the NSW Waratahs in Sydney and Cheetahs at Suncorp Stadium, before travelling to South Africa for games against the Sharks and Lions.
“We’ve got tough assignments away to two of our traditional Australian rivals to begin the season, which will provide a challenge and opportunity to start strongly,” Reds coach Richard Graham said.
“Four out of our first five games will be on the road, which will give this young group the chance to spend a lot of time together and develop a good understanding of the direction on and off the field.”
The Waratahs don’t leave Australia until round seven, when they face the Sharks in Durban on March 29.
NSW star recruit Kurtley Beale is set for grudge matches against the Melbourne Rebels in rounds six and 15, while if Sonny Bill Williams joins the Chiefs as expected, his battle with fellow code-hopper Israel Folau on May 31 will be one to watch.
The Brumbies will host a handful of blockbusters, headlined by a grand final rematch against the Chiefs on April 25.
Aside from the Anzac Day clash, the Brumbies are home to the Blues on April 4 in what looms as former NRL star Benji Marshall’s first Super Rugby match on Australian soil.
Brumbies’ fans will also be circling May 10 in their calendars, when Jake White returns to the ACT as the Sharks’ director of coaching after departing the national capital halfway through a four-year deal after taking the side to within one win of a title.
Perennial strugglers Western Force start a difficult season away to the Waratahs on February 23, while the Perth-based side host the top three sides from 2013 – the Brumbies (March 1), Chiefs (March 22) and Bulls (April 26).
The season opens with a stand-alone South African round.
Each team plays home and away derbies within their own conference, plus the following cross-conference matches in the 2014 Super Rugby season:
Brumbies: Hurricanes (A), Stormers (H), Blues (H), Chiefs (H), Crusaders (A), Sharks (H), Cheetahs (A), Bulls (A)
Force: Highlanders (A), Chiefs (H), Bulls (H), Cheetahs (A), Stormers (A), Lions (H), Crusaders (A), Blues (H)
Rebels: Cheetahs (H), Crusaders (H), Highlanders (A), Chiefs (A), Sharks (H), Hurricanes (H), Lions (A), Bulls (A)
Reds: Cheetahs (H), Sharks (A), Lions (A), Stormers (H), Hurricanes (A), Blues (A), Crusaders (H), Highlanders (H)
Waratahs: Sharks (A), Stormers (A), Bulls (H), Blues (A), Hurricanes (H), Lions (H), Chiefs (A), Highlanders (H)
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Can't wait for some good natured JW booing and baiting, if he has the guts to show his face at Bruce. Probably a bit far from his family, unless of course we promise him the wallaby job.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Good to see the Qld paranoia starting as early as the Tahs talking up. Tahs will finish higher than the Reds for sure. You heard it here first.
tubby
Guest
no conspiract for sure but it ewas very noticable in the finals last year how many teams faced each other for the first time. I have no doubts the luck of not playing other top sides during the regular season affected the standings in the final rounds.
Wii
Guest
Ignorance at its best!!!
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
What's probably worth mentioning, as it's raised the ire of many Melburnians, is that the Rebels' home games are all on Friday nights. It might seem a petty complaint (first world problems being what they are), but it effectively means that those that are unable to get to Aami Park on a work day, those that have other responsibilities on Fridays, and parents of young kids (and the kids themselves) are excluded from all but the occasional game. The club are blaming SANZAR for this, but it seems an odd move to give such an unvaried fixture list to a young club still trying to attract fans, especially when you consider that they'll be competing for an audience with FTA A League on Friday nights too.
DJW
Guest
I want to be optomistic as a Force fan, but that draw looks very tough for us. You have to beat the best to succeed though. Not sure why we couldn't do the two NZ games in one go. Also all the one off trips east. Compared to the Tah's draw it does make you wonder if the ARU wants the Force to succeed.
DJW
Guest
This is an issue that shouldn't be taken lightly. The Wallabies have had a huge 2013. Super 15 where both Brumbies and Reds make it into the finals, British Lions tour, Rugby Championship, then 6 games in the Northern Hemisphere. A short break then pre-season for the 2014 season. That's one hell of a schedule. Injuries and burn out will be a major issues. I know there professionals but that's still a huge year.
Red Kev
Guest
Heh heh, that's funny. The test for the Reds will be if they can keep their starch in defence from last year but add the attacking structure that Meehan will no doubt bring to their game. I have a feeling they might be a middle of the table team this year and miss the finals - but as long as I see structure and improvement (and we retain the Templeton Cup) I'll be happy.
formeropenside
Guest
well, thats all they have - talk. The trophy cabinet has been bare since...well, longer that I can remember.
Fin
Guest
Tahs have a great draw. Syd, Syd,Bye,Canb,Syd,Durban,CapeTown,Perth,Syd,Auck,Syd, Bye,Syd,Melb,CheifsTBC,Syd,Syd,Bris,Week Off,Syd,Syd, Bali.
Westie
Guest
Tahs up talking starts earlier every year
Squirrel
Guest
Yeah tahs and Brumbies top 6, the rest will be in the bottom 5
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Maybe they got penalised for bringing their B line up vs the Lions?! ;) More seriously this is an awful draw. Considering their location, Oz east coast and NZ games should be part of a tour the same way SA games are. Or 2-3 mini tours (i.e the Sydney-Dunedin games together then perth, Briz-Melb together too etc...). insane
LOLA
Guest
I see a changing of the guard next year in AUS. The Tars have bought very well, and they ISSIE. The BRUMBS have lost some good players, and their Coach. i believe all is not lost. Jake White struck me as a man that wouldnt leave loose ends, so Fis and Lark will have a plan. The Rebels continue to improve Had the guts to sack Beale and OC. Converted Higgers from a good player but a seagull, to the best number 8 in Aus. The Force will struggle again, but we should remember, this year,they beat the Cruisers, Reds and the Brumbs. The Reds are in trouble. Link gone, a new Coach, who walked out on the Team he was Coaching, half way through the season, ageing players, loosing players and not a lot coming through/
hog
Guest
So the season start on February 21st. The Wallabies play their last game on the Spring tour on the 29th November. Allowing for pre season training that gives them at least 5-6 weeks off, and we wonder why their are injury issue's???
Johnno
Guest
Rebels much better draw than the Force. I'd take that over the frequent flyer force lol. Last 2 games on the high veldt in South Africa, though will be anything but friendly, very tough, the lungs will be tired by Pretoria, expect Bulls to put 50 on em. Tahs will be happy of course, as 2 games Rebels will likely lose, which will disrupt there finals chances, for OZ play off spot.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Now, now, Rob, the poor bastards need every bit of help they can get. No Ioane, no Morahan, and crucially, no McKenzie. I hate to say it, but it looks like they're on the cusp of another cellar-dwelling dynasty. The draw's not kind enough to let them escape the Brumbies, 'Tahs, or their arch-nemesis the Western Force, so I think we can expect them to be fighting it out with the Rebels to try to avoid the spoon next season.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
I'd actually back the Reds to have a good season with a generous schedule like that, but, y'know... Richard Graham...
formeropenside
Guest
Well Pulver already has his profile photo ready.
rugger fan
Guest
I believe it was originally based an alphabetical listing of teams in each conference. so reds are in spot 4 in oz conference. in 2011 we missed highlanders and sharks who were listed 4 in their respective conferences. i'm not sure how that has worked in subsequent years.