The 2025 Buildcorp Australian Rugby Shield gets underway in Newcastle today with 14 teams battling it out for the country's top prize.
Queensland Country (men) and ACT & SNSW (women) will defend their Shields against a host of fierce rivals and tournament newcomers, including Sydney Women and a local Wildfires Development team.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 Buildcorp Australian Rugby Shield.
The 2025 Buildcorp Australian Rugby Shield is delivered in partnership with naming rights sponsor Buildcorp Group and the City of Newcastle - check out visitnewcastle.com.au for more.
Games kick off 9:30am AEST on Wednesday 1 October - every game is streamed live and free via rugby.com.au/videos and the Rugby Xplorer App.
See below for Day 1 livestreams, fixtures, results and rolling coverage from Hunter Rugby Union - you can also purchase tickets here with all proceeds going back into supporting grassroots rugby in the Hunter.
9:30 - Queensland Country Heelers 53 def Australian Defence Rugby Union 0
The defending champions Heelers have hit the ground running, blowing the Australian Defence Rugby Union away in the opening clash.
Savenaca Ronavuso and Shayden Stevens both picked up two tries as the Queenslanders ran out with nine tries, leading from start to finish.
11:15 - Tasmania Jack Jumpers v Wildfires Development
13:00 - South Australia Black Falcons Men v NSW Suburban
14:25 - NSW Country Cockatoos v Queensland Suburban
9:30 - South Australia Black Falcons Women 22 def Queensland Suburban Kelpies 19
The Black Falcons have started their campaign with a hard fought win over the Kelpies, with both sides running out three tries.
However, it took the boot of Victoria Cousins, with a penalty in the 25th minute proving the difference.
11:15 - ACT & SNSW Kestrels v NSW Country Corellas
13:00 - Queensland Country Orchids v Sydney Women
