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This week will see the 2024 professional rugby season start to ramp up, as Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific sides and Super W teams begin final preparations for their respective campaigns.
Over the next few weeks, sides will host multiple trials in preparation for their respective round-one kick-offs, with teams looking to brush off the cobwebs of the silly season and establish or build combinations to hit the ground running.
So, wait, who is playing who again in these trials? And where? Fear not. Head below to see what fixtures await in the Australian Super Rugby and Super W pre-season:
NOTE: some sections will be incomplete and subject to change as more details become available.
The Rebels will host the Waratahs in their first trial of 2024. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
The trials season officially gets underway this Saturday, down in Melbourne. The Rebels men’s side will host two trials as Kevin Foote officially welcomes nine new faces to the Stockade for their first clash since their Japan exhibition match against the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in October last year.
Kicking off at Moorabbin Rugby Club, the Rebels will host the Waratahs on Saturday, February 3rd, which could be the first time fans will be able to glimpse Taniela Tupou in Melbourne colours.
Two weeks later and one week out from their opening round against the Brumbies at AAMI Park, the Rebels will welcome a fast-improving Fijian Drua side to Gosch’s Paddock.
Men’s fixtures
The Melbourne Rebels Women’s side have two trials currently planned ahead of their opening round clash on March 15th against the Western Force in Perth, where they will welcome the Queensland Reds to Geelong as preparation for their season grows.
Women’s fixtures
Harry Wilson has been all smiles at Ballymore under new coach Les KIss. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
While the Reds women will be heading on the road, the men will host two trials in back-to-back weeks ahead of their round one clash against the Waratahs.
Les Kiss will be determined to build on last November’s victory at Ballymore against the Panasonic Wild Knights and ensure he hits the ground running in his new tenure, coming up against an unpredictable Western Force side.
Watch every match of Super Rugby Pacific ad-free, live & on demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport
Following this, the Reds will welcome the Waratahs to Roma for a special fan event held across two days, the Santos Festival of Rugby. This festival will see both the men’s and women’s square off for pre-season bragging rights, the Santos Cup. The event will include junior rugby clinics, fan events, and musical performances from DJ Jonny Mac and Hot Dub Time Machine.
Men’s fixtures:
The Women’s side have locked themselves in for three trials as they look to put past disappointments behind them and claim their maiden Super W title. In addition to their clash against the Waratahs in Roma and the Rebels in Geelong, they will also take on the Penina Pearls, and Oceania representative side in Ballymore in late February
Women’s fixtures
The Reds pre-season matches will be streamed on Stan Sport.
Caitlyn Halse of the Waratahs passes the ball during the Super W match between Melbourne Rebels Women and NSW Waratahs Women at AAMI Park, on April 21, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
After a relatively quiet pre-season which saw their team play one session against a NSW Pasifika side, the Tahs are set to have a busy pre-season, kicking off with their clash against the Rebels in Moorabbin this Saturday.
After travelling to Roma, the main squad will remain in Queensland ahead of their round one clash, while an extended ‘A’ squad will return to Sydney for a joint clash with the Warringah Rats and Manly Marlins at Rat Park.
The Tahs will also have a U/18s Academy clash at Concord Oval on March 2nd, playing against the Queensland Reds Academy.
Men’s fixtures:
The Waratahs Women’s side will be having an extremely busy pre-season, with four trials currently in the mix. Following their trip to Roma for the Festival of Rugby, the Tahs will host the Brumbies, the Tokyo Phoenix representative side, and finish with a clash on the Gold Coast between an Oceania representative side.
Women’s fixtures:
Corey Toole of the Brumbies kicks ahead to score a try during the round 12 Super Rugby Pacific match between ACT Brumbies and Highlanders at GIO Stadium, on May 14, 2023, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The Brumbies will travel across Australia for their pre-season, kicking off at Canberra’s spiritual home of club rugby at Viking Park for a doubleheader clash involving both their men’s and women’s sides, with the men taking on the Fijian Drua.
Following this, Stephen Larkham’s men will make the journey west to take on the Western Force.
Men’s fixtures
The Brumbies Women meanwhile will enjoy three trials ahead of a tough first-round clash against the Waratahs, playing Hong Kong China at home as part of the doubleheader, before hopping on the road to play the Tahs in Campbelltown and a Pasifikia XV side on the Gold Coast.
Women’s fixtures
The Brumbies will be streaming their Viking Park clashes on Bar TV Sports.
Trilleen Pomare of the Force passes the ball during the Super W match between Western Force and ACT Brumbies Women at HBF Park, on April 22, 2023, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Finally, the Force will also be making a trek across the Nullarbor, kicking off their pre-season at Ballymore against the Queensland Reds, before returning to Revo Fitness Stadium in Claremont to face the Brumbies as part of a Western Force fan day, ahead of their round one home clash against the Hurricanes.
Men’s fixtures
The Women’s side will be welcoming a plethora of international stars but will be staying in Perth for their pre-season ahead of their home clash against the Rebels. They will welcome the Tokyo Phoenix for two fixtures in Perth as part of their new agreement, before a final fixture against the Rebels ahead of round one.
Women’s fixtures
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.