In the shortest lead up to a Super Rugby season ever, season 25 kicks off in January with a full round of matches played from Friday night all the way through to Sunday morning.
2020 introduces earlier kick off times across the New Zealand conference and Australia conference, but the structure of the competition remains the same; 15 teams, two bye weeks each and six team playoffs.
The first round is headlined by a blockbuster derby with last year’s Australian conference winners hosting the Reds on Friday night, and a trans-Tasman battle onSaturday night with the Crusaders playing host to the Waratahs in Nelson.
(Note: All times are Australian Eastern Standard Time)
Jump ahead to a particular game.
Blues vs. Chiefs | Brumbies vs. Reds | Sharks vs. Bulls | Sunwolves vs. Rebels | Crusaders vs. Waratahs | Stormers vs. Hurricanes | Jaguares vs. Lions
Friday, June 14
Blues vs. Chiefs, 5:05pm, Eden Park, Auckland
Blues:
Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Sean Wainui, Quinn Tupea, Alex Nankivell, Solomon Alaimalo, Kaleb Trask, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Sam Cane, Mitch Karpik, Lachlan Boshier, Mitch Brown, Tyler Ardron, nepo Laulala, Samisoni Tauki’aho, Aidan Ross. Replacements: Bradley Slater, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden, Anton Leinert-Brown
Brumbies vs. Reds, 7:15pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Brumbies:
Reds: Bryce Hegarty, Jock Campbell, Jordan Petaia, James O’Connor, Henry Speight, Isaac Lucas, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, JP Smith. Replacements: Alex Mafi, Dane Zander, Feao Fotuaika, Izack Rodda, Seru Uru, Moses Sorovi, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami
Saturday, June 8
Sharks vs. Bulls, 4:10am, Jonsson Kings Park, Durban
Sharks:
Bulls:
Sunwolves vs Rebels, 2:45pm, Fukuoka Hakatanomoru Stadium, Fukuoka
Sunwolves:
Rebels:
Crusaders vs. Waratahs, 5:05pm, Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Crusaders:
Waratahs:
Sunday, June 2
Stormers vs. Hurricanes, 12:05am, DHL Newlands, Cape Town
Stormers:
Hurricanes:
Jaguares vs. Lions, 10:00am, Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Jaguares:
Lions:
BYE: Highlanders