Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific is ready to set sail, with the world’s best provincial Rugby competition set to kick off a new era on Friday, 18 February.
Rugby Australia and Stan Sport will today celebrate the launch of the inaugural season of Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific with a virtual event bringing together the captains and coaches of all Australian-based teams, less than two weeks from the start of the season.
The inaugural season of Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific will be shown ad-free, live and on on-demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport, while one game a week will also be simulcast live on the 9Network.
Tickets for the inaugural season of Super Rugby Pacific are on sale from today at Super.Rugby/tickets
The 2022 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific season will also see the continuation of Harvey Norman as the competition naming-rights sponsor in Australia, following the success of Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU and Trans-Tasman season last year.
A revamped 2022 competition will boast 12 teams, with all 10 existing Australian and New Zealand teams along with newcomers the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika.
Kicking off in both Australia and New Zealand on 18 February, the Moana Pasifika will take on the Blues, while the NSW Waratahs will host the Fijian Drua in both Pacific team’s first-ever Super Rugby matches.
The attention will then shift to Queensland, where reigning Australian champions, the Queensland Reds, will take on the Melbourne Rebels before the Western Force kick off their campaign in Canberra against the Brumbies.
In a competition first, all 12 clubs will converge on Melbourne in Round 10 for a ‘Super Round’, which will coincide with a competition-wide ANZAC Round. Themed rounds celebrating Women in Rugby, Culture Round, and Heritage Round will also feature throughout the season.
The 2022 Season will also see greater fan participation, with the introduction of a Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific tipping competition featuring weekly prizes and a fan voted MVP and Try of the Round.
Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Andy Marinos said: “A new era is upon us as we prepare to welcome the inaugural season of Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific.
“I would like to thank Katie Page and her team at Harvey Norman for their continued support and enthusiasm in partnering for the inaugural season of this new competition. We have enjoyed a great partnership since they joined the Rugby family ahead of last season.
“I would also like to acknowledge the incredible work being done by our broadcast partners Stan Sport and Nine, who have embraced the Rugby community and brought an incredible zeal to their coverage of all levels of our game, from the grassroots, through to Super Rugby and the Wallabies.
"We want Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific to be the most engaging club competition in the world and we can’t do that without our fans. We’re less than two weeks away from the historic launch of this new era and I would encourage Rugby fans across the country to get out and support their local teams, by securing a membership and helping create an incredible atmosphere at their home games, or by cheering from the couch and watching at home on Stan Sport."We're
Stan Acting Chief Executive Officer, Martin Kugeler said: "After a brilliant start for Rugby on Stan Sport, we are looking forward to showcasing the new Super Rugby Pacific competition in 2022. The introduction of two new teams presents an exciting prospect that no doubt will resonate well with fans.
“Super Rugby Pacific forms part of a blockbuster year on Stan Sport with viewers able to both enjoy men and women’s Rugby from grassroots to world-class international matches.
Click here for the full 2022 Harvey Norman Super Rugby Draw
Stan’s add-on sport package is available for $10 a month and new customers can start their 7-day free trial now by visiting Stan.com.au/rugby
