Rugby Australia's new domestic competition to kick off in September

Rugby Australia has unveiled plans for a new annual domestic Super Rugby competition set to launch this September and October, aimed at providing more game time for senior players not involved with the Wallabies.

The four-week senior competition will run from September 13 to October 5, with the final falling on the day after the Wallabies' Bledisloe Cup Test match in Perth.

The initiative addresses growing concerns that Australian players outside the national squad aren’t playing enough top-level rugby, especially compared to their counterparts overseas.


With only 14 regular season games in Super Rugby Pacific, many fringe or non-international players face lengthy breaks between matches.

The new domestic tournament is expected to bridge that gap, help develop depth, and maintain match fitness across the broader professional playing group.

The new domestic Super Rugby competition will run in conjunction with the existing Super Rugby Men's U19 tournament, with most matchdays featuring double headers.

"The Super Rugby Pacific season is relatively short and sharp, and the contracted players who aren't involved with Wallabies can go a long time between games at that level," RA's Ben Whitaker said in a statement.

"Super Rugby AUS will also be an opportunity to showcase the best emerging player and coaching talent out of club rugby, along with the national and Super Rugby pathway programmes."

The New South Wales Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, Western Force, and Queensland Reds will face off once each across three rounds in the new domestic Super Rugby competition, culminating in a final on the fourth weekend.

To boost community engagement and grow the game regionally, matches will be held at popular local venues. The Brumbies will return to Viking Park, while the Waratahs will take one of their games to Narrabri as part of the Santos Festival of Rugby.

2025 SUPER RUGBY AUSTRALIA SCHEDULE

ROUND 1

September 13: NSW Waratahs v Western Force

September 14:: Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies

ROUND 2

September 20: NSW Waratahs v Queensland Reds

September 21: Western Force v ACT Brumbies

ROUND 3

September 27: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs

September 28: Western Force v Queensland Reds

GRAND FINAL

October 5: TBC v TBC