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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)
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.