Rugby Australia to launch Super Rugby AUS in September

Rugby Australia has announced the creation of a brand-new Super Rugby AUS competition, set to run from mid-September to early October.

Designed to bridge the gap between Super Rugby Pacific seasons, the four-week tournament will feature Australia’s four franchises: the Brumbies, Waratahs, Reds, and Western Force.

The tournament adopts a round-robin format, concluding with a grand final scheduled immediately after Perth hosts the final Bledisloe Cup Test on 5 October.

Matches are expected to be packaged as double-headers alongside U19 fixtures, with U16 games running concurrently.

Building on Rugby Australia’s push to broaden the game’s presence, fixtures will be held across regional venues.

Highlights include the Waratahs playing in Narrabri during the Santos Festival of Rugby and the Brumbies returning to Canberra’s Viking Park.

Under Rugby Australia’s structured competition model, Super Rugby AUS will provide non-international players valuable competitive minutes and a platform for emerging talent. The new competition aims to maintain playing continuity and accelerate development pathways.