Rugby Australia has today announced an update to the fixture schedule for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season, with current border restrictions in Western Australia making the existing draw untenable.
The NSW Waratahs will now host the Western Force in Round Four of Super Rugby Pacific after the franchise's agreed to swap their 2022 home fixtures.
The Waratahs Round Four clash against the Force, originally scheduled in Perth, will now be played at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday 13 March and the reverse fixture between the two sides in Round Nine now played at HBF Park in Perth on Saturday 16 April.
This home game fixture swap ensures the integrity of the competition following border restrictions in place between States and guarantees all teams their original home game allocation.
NSW Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn said “The Waratahs recognise the importance of home fixtures for the financial viability of Super Rugby clubs and had no hesitation in swapping games with the Western Force.
“This will allow the Force to play their designated home fixtures in Perth ensuring the competition is not disrupted.
“From a Waratahs perspective we now play four of our opening five matches at home, including a family friendly Sunday afternoon game at Leichhardt, which is incredibly exciting for our members, supporters and partners.”
Western Force CEO Tony Lewis said: "Firstly, I’d like to thank Phil Thomson of the Brumbies, Paul Doorn of the Waratahs, Matthew Barlow from SANZAR and Ben Whitaker from Rugby Australia for their assistance with reaching such a positive result.”
In line with previous seasons all registered NSW junior players aged 16 and under will be able to attend Waratah’s home matches free of charge.
Waratahs 2022 memberships are on sale now, for more information head to
https://nsw.rugby/experience/membership
Waratahs 2022 Super Rugby Pacific Fixtures: Round 1: Waratahs v Fijian Drua, Friday 18 February, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Round 2: Waratahs v Reds, Friday 25 February, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Round 3: Brumbies v Waratahs, Saturday 5 March, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Round 4: Waratahs v Force, Sunday 13 March, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Round 5: Waratahs v Rebels, Saturday 19 March, Sydney Cricket Ground
Round 6: Reds v Waratahs, Saturday 26 March, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Round 7: Fijian Drua v Waratahs, Friday 1 April, Venue TBC
Round 8: BYE
Round 9: Force v Waratahs, Saturday 16 April, HBF Stadium, Perth
Round 10: Chiefs v Waratahs, Friday 22 April, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Round 11: Waratahs v Crusaders, Saturday 30 April, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Round 12: Moana Pasifika v Waratahs, Saturday 7 May, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 13: Waratahs v Hurricanes, Saturday 14 May, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Round 14: Highlanders v Waratahs, Sunday 21 May, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Round 15: Waratahs v Blues, Saturday 28 May, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
