The 2019 Super W season will be beefed up on and off the field with a new expanded schedule announced on Monday.
NSW and Queensland played out an epic extra-time final in the inaugural 2018 competition and there will be one more week of finals this time around with an extra playoff introduced.
Oly the first team on the log after the home and away season guaranteed a grand final spot, while the teams that finish second and third will play off after the regular season to determine the other finalist, giving more teams a chance at finals rugby.
Reigning champions NSW will open the season against the Brumbies, whom they beat 74-7 in their recent preseason trial, followed up by the Melbourne Rebels women and Queensland women in Victoria on Sunday.
There will be three matches played as part of Super Rugby-Super W double headers this season, with the Brumbies vs NSW women, Queensland vs Rugby WA women and the Melbourne Rebels vs Rugby WA women playing ahead of their Super Rugby counterparts.
Every match will be broadcast LIVE on Kayo Sports and RUGBY.com.au, while FOX SPORTS will show matches that are part of double headers.
Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle said women's XVs was beginning to see the impact of Super W on the rugby landscape.
“The hype of last year’s competition has brought forward a new era for Women’s Rugby in Australia, and we’ve seen a 20% increase in female XVs participation since Super W last year," she said.
“That growth is part of the reason that all the clubs are taking matches back to their grassroots, to continue to promote the game and inspire our next generation of Buildcorp Wallaroos.
“The competition gives our players top level game time, week-in, week-out which will hold them in the best possible stead for an action-packed international calendar in 2019."
Super W kicks off on Saturday February 23, with the Brumbies taking on the NSW women.
FIXTURE
Super W 2019
Round 1
Saturday February 23 - Brumbies Women vs NSW Women*, GIO Stadium Canberra, 5pm AEDT
Sunday February 24 - Melbourne Rebels Women vs Queensland Women, Box Hill RFC, Melbourne, 3pm AEDT
Round 2
Saturday March 2 - Queensland Women vs RugbyWA Women*, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 4pm local, 5pm AEDT
Sunday March 3 - Brumbies Women vs Melbourne Rebels Women, Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan, 3pm AEDT
Round 3
Friday March 8 - Melbourne Rebels Women vs RugbyWA Women*, AAMI Park, Melbourne, 5pm AEDT
Sunday March 10 - NSW Women vs Queensland Women, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, 3pm AEDT
Round 4
Saturday March 16 - Queensland Women vs Brumbies Women, Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane, 5pm local, 6pm AEDT
Sunday March 17 - RugbyWA Women vs NSW Women, Curtin University, Perth, 3:30pm local, 6:30pm AEDT
Round 5
Sunday March 24 - RugbyWA Women vs Brumbies Women, Wanneroo Rugby Club, WA, 2pm local, 5pm AEDT,
Sunday March 24 - NSW Women vs Melbourne Rebels Women, Sunday 24 March, 3pm AEDT Anne Ashwood Park, Bathurst
*Denotes doubleheader
Playoff
March 30/31 - 2nd vs 3rd
Super W final
April 6/7 - 1st vs winner of 2nd/3rd
