Queensland and NSW will headline the opening round of the 2018 Buildcorp Super W, with the arch rivals set to do battle at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane as part of a blockbuster double-header on March 10.
The interstate rivalry was reignited when the two sides played out an epic final at the Brisbane Global Rugby 10s last month, and the explosive rematch is set to share the big stage with the Vodafone Super Rugby clash between the Reds and the Bulls.
The Suncorp Stadium spectacle will be the first of five-double headers spread throughout the inaugural season, putting Buildcorp Super W’s stars on equal footing with their male, Vodafone Super Rugby counterparts.
On Sunday 18 March, the NSW Women will take on the Western Force Women in a blockbusting double-header ahead of the NSW Waratahs' clash against the Melbourne Rebels at Allianz Stadium.
With every game to be shown on FOX SPORTS, Buildcorp Super W will be beamed out to a national audience in its first season. This includes LIVE coverage of the Western Force Women v NSW Women round two showdown on March 18, and Queensland’s clash with the Rebels in round three on March 25.
RUGBY.com.au will broadcast one LIVE match per week through its digital platform, expanding the offerings for Rugby fans looking to see the Buildcorp Super W in its first season.
The competition will see Australia’s elite Women’s XVs Rugby players compete in state-based teams to be crowned inaugural Buildcorp Super W champions, under the watchful eye of national selectors.
The derby clashes synonymous with Super Rugby will be replicated in the new women’s competition with interstate grudge matches each and every round across the country.
Rugby Australia Head of National XVs Programs, Adrian Thompson said: “This is a really exciting time for Women’s Rugby with the Buildcorp Super W to give our players significantly more playing opportunities and a chance to represent their state in week-in, week-out competition.
“This competition is a completely different format to the previously held National Championship, which was staged over a few days in total, and it will allow our players to really test themselves under the pressure of performing in big matches each week.”
Buildcorp Super W is the second national Women’s Competition to be launched in the past year by Rugby Australia, after the successful first season of the Aon University Sevens Series that was held from August to September, 2017.
2018 Buildcorp Super W Draw (all times are local)
Round 1
Queensland Women v NSW Women, Saturday 10 March, 4.00pm, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Western Force Women v Melbourne Rebels Women, Sunday 11 March, 3.00pm, Cottesloe Rugby Club, Perth
Brumbies BYE
Round 2
Brumbies Women v Queensland Women, Saturday 17 March, 5.00pm GIO Stadium, Canberra
NSW Women v Western Force Women, Sunday 18 March, 1.30pm Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Melbourne Rebels Women BYE
Round 3
NSW Women v Brumbies Women, 3.00pm, Saturday 24 March, 3.00pm, Warringah Rugby Park, Sydney
Queensland Women v Melbourne Rebels Women, 1.30pm, Sunday 25 March, Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Western Force Women BYE
Round 4
Melbourne Rebels Women v Brumbies Women, Friday 30 March, 5.00pm, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Western Force Women v Queensland Women, Saturday 31 March, 3.00pm Kingsway Sporting Complex
NSW Women BYE
Round 5
Melbourne Rebels Women v NSW Women, Saturday 7 April, 3.00pm, Box Hill Rugby Club, Melbourne Brumbies Women v Western Force Women, Saturday 7 April, 5.00pm GIO Stadium, Canberra
Queensland Women BYE
The Buildcorp Super W Final will be played the weekend of 20 April to accommodate a break for Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.