The NSW Waratahs remaining 2020 Vodafone Super Rugby fixtures have been confirmed, following advice from the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust (SCGT) on ground availability.
Matches against the Bulls (Round 8), Sunwolves (Round 9), Reds (Round 12) and Rebels (Round 14) had been listed as ‘TBC’ in the official 2020 Draw announcement in September.
NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) had been working closely with the SCGT as they navigate a busy sporting schedule, heavily impacted by the Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) and ANZ Stadium being unavailable.
As a result, the Sydney Cricket Ground will host the NSW Waratahs clash with the Sunwolves next season, while the Reds will go to Bankwest Stadium and the Rebels to Brookvale Oval.
With the remaining locations in the Sydney metropolitan area finalised, NSWRU can confirm that their Round 8 clash earmarked for ‘Country NSW’ will be held at Scully Park, Tamworth.
It will be the first time the NSW Waratahs play a Super Rugby fixture in Country NSW.
The Scully Park clash with the Bulls has been made possible courtesy of a joint grant from the NSW government’s Office of Sport and Drought Relief Fund.
Today’s announcement takes the NSW Waratahs home venues in 2020 to six, as they extend on their efforts in 2019 to take the professional game around the state.
The confirmation of the Reds (Round 12) fixture at Bankwest Stadium will see three games in Sydney’s west once again in 2020.
McDonald Jones Stadium will host it’s second Super Rugby fixture, while the Illawarra region will have the professional game on their doorstep for the first time.
Trips to Newcastle and Wollongong have been made possible thanks to the support of Venues New South Wales, Newcastle City Council and Destination Wollongong.
Interim-CEO, Phillip Van Schalkwyk said that the updated draw was a direct reflection of the organisation’s aim to take the professional game to the people of NSW.
“The [NSWRU] Board made it clear from the outset that we wanted to use our current displacement as an opportunity to engage with fans across NSW,” Van Schalkwyk said.
“To be playing in regional, country and a range of metropolitan locations in 2020 is a great result.
“We’re extremely excited about the completion of the new SFS and would again like to thank the SCG for their support during this process.”
The 2020 season will also see earlier starts for Friday and Saturday night fixtures, with a new kick-off time of 7.15pm.
NSW Waratahs 2020 Super Rugby home fixtures:
Round 2: NSW Waratahs v Auckland Blues, McDonald Jones Stadium
Round 5: NSW Waratahs v Lions, Bankwest Stadium
Round 6: NSW Waratahs v Chiefs, WIN Stadium
Round 8: NSW Waratahs v Bulls, Scully Park, Tamworth
Round 9: NSW Waratahs v Sunwolves, SCG
Round 12: NSW Waratahs v Reds, Bankwest Stadium
Round 14: NSW Waratahs v Rebels, Brookvale Oval
Round 17: NSW Waratahs v Brumbies, Bankwest Stadium
