Super Rugby AU

Super Rugby AU (branded as Vodafone Super Rugby AU for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby union competition organised by Rugby Australia. The competition supplants the 2020 Super Rugby season, which had been suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The competition, features the four Australian Super Rugby teams from the Australian conference, with the addition of Western Force, in a round-robin tournament over a 12-week period, made up of 10 rounds, a qualifying final and a final.

Super Rugby AU
Official Logo
CountriesAustralia
Tournament format(s)Round-robin tournament
Matches played12
Attendance13,980 (1,165 per match)
Official websiteOfficial site

The competition was announced on 12 May,[1] with the first round commencing on 3 July, making it the third sport to return in Australia (behind AFL and NRL) and just the second rugby union competition to return. Initially, all games will be behind-closed-doors, with decision to allow crowds under review.[2]

Media coverage

Television

All matches are televised live by affiliate partners Fox Sports.

Corporate relations

Sponsorship

The tournament is run by Rugby Australia with the sponsorship of Foxtel which provides television coverage on its Fox Sports channels with Vodafone (Australia) being the naming rights sponsor. Gilbert is the official supplier of all rugby balls.

Merchandising

Official match day attire together with other club merchandise is sold through the Super Rugby AU's stores and website as well through the clubs and through some retailers.

Law adaptions

On 12 June, Rugby Australia announced seven law trials designed to make the game more entertaining for the fans and players.[3] The trials were adapted from the 10 optional law trials available for unions and competitions given by World Rugby in May 2020.[4] The following trials will be used during the competition:

Law trials Scenario
Goal line drop-out When an attacking player carrying the ball is held up in the in-goal or knocks the ball on play restarts with a goal line drop-out.
When a kick enters the in-goal area and is forced by the defending team play restarts with a goal line drop-out
Mark A kick originating in the attacking 22m area cannot be marked by the defending team within their own 22m area. The kick can however be marked within the defending team’s in-goal area and play restarts with a 22m line drop-out.
Red card change A red carded player can be replaced after 20 minutes, unless all substitutions have been used.
50/22 A kick taken from within the defending team’s 50m area that travels into touch within the opposition’s 22m area having first bounced in the field of play results in a line-out throw to the kicking team. This does not apply following a free-kick.
22/50 A kick taken from within the defending team’s 22m area that travels into touch within the opposition’s 50m area having first bounced in the field of play results in a line-out throw to the kicking team. This does not apply following a free-kick.
Super Time 2 x 5min periods of extra time; in the event of a drawn game after regulation time where the first points scored wins the match for the scoring team

Standings
Table
Pos Team P W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Brumbies540111396+1718102018
2 Reds6312132138–617171116
3 Waratahs6303155119+3616131215
4 Rebels6312128110+1813150014
5 Western Force500566131–65816022
Points allocation

  • 4 points to the winning team
  • 2 points to each team if neither team scores during extra time
  • 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
  • 1 bonus point to any team scoring three tries or more than the opposition

Matches

Round 1
3 July 2020
19:05
Reds 32–26 Waratahs (1 BP)
Try: Wright  6'
Daugunu  18'
McDermott  29'
Wilson  64'
Con: Hegarty  7', 30', 65' (3/4)
Pen: O'Connor  76', 80+1' (2/2)
 Report Try: Johnson-Holmes  10'
Maddocks  48'
Con: Harrison  11', 49' (2/2)
Pen: Harrison  34', 40', 43', 68' (4/4)
Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 5,590[5]
Referee: Nic Berry
4 July 2020
19:15
(1 BP) Brumbies 31–23 Rebels
Try: Muirhead  3'
Powell  27'
Fainga'a  37'
Wright  44'
Miller  77'
Con: Lolesio  5', 39', 79' (3/5)
 Report Try: Uelese  58'
D. Haylett-Petty  63'
Con: Toomua  59', 65' (2/2)
Pen: Toomua  9', 24', 71' (3/4)
GIO Stadium
Attendance: 1,500[6]
Referee: Angus Gardner

Round 2
10 July 2020
19:05
Rebels 18–18 (a.e.t.) Reds
Try: Hodge  54'
Meakes  68'
Con: Toomua  69' (1/2)
Pen: Toomua  7', 40+2' (2/2)
 Report Try: Daugunu  44'
Mafi  79'
Con: O'Connor  80+1' (1/2)
Pen: O'Connor  51', 75' (2/2)
11 July 2020
19:15
Waratahs 23–14 Western Force
Try: Bell  40'
Staniforth  62'
Con: Harrison  40+2', 64' (2/2)
Pen: Harrison  46', 60', 74' (3/3)
 Report Try: Ralston  29'
Pen: Prior  14', 33', 37' (3/3)

Round 3
17 July 2020
19:05
Reds 31–24 Western Force (1 BP)
Try: Paenga-Amosa  19'
Campbell  23'
Tupou  27'
Daugunu  45'
Con: O'Connor  20', 24', 28', 46' (4/4)
Drop: O'Connor  79'
 Report Try: McGregor  11'
Ralston  14', 39'
Ready  70'
Con: Prior  13', 15' (2/2)
Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 6,890[7]
Referee: Nic Berry
18 July 2020
19:15
(1 BP) Waratahs 23–24 Brumbies
Try: Horton  24'
Ramm  29'
Con: Harrison  25', 30' (2/2)
Pen: Harrison  10', 15', 50' (3/4)
 Report Try: Cusack  5'
Fainga'a  34'
Valetini  37'
Fines  77'
Con: Kuenzle  38', 79' (2/3)

Round 4
24 July 2020
19:05
Waratahs 10–29 Rebels
Try: Newsome  7'
Con: Harrison  9' (1/1)
Pen: Harrison  23' (1/1)
 Report Try: Louwrens  38'
Koroibete  78'
Con: Toomua  39', 78' (2/2)
Pen: Toomua  4', 11', 15', 31', 71' (5/5)
25 July 2020
19:15
Western Force 0–24 Brumbies (1 BP)
Report Try: Wright  2'
Simone  6'
Miller  43'
McInerney  66'
Con: Kuenzle  7', 45' (2/4)

Round 5
31 July 2020
19:05
(1 BP) Western Force 20–25 (a.e.t.) Rebels
Try: Lee-Warner  27'
Ralston  57'
Con: Lance  28', 58' (2/2)
Pen: Lance  12', 64' (2/3)
 Report Try: Uelese  30'
Philip  60'
Naisarani  82'
Con: Toomua  32', 61' (2/2)
Pen: Toomua  53' (1/1)
Hodge  40+4' (1/2)
1 August 2020
19:15
Brumbies 22–20 Reds (1 BP)
Try: Fainga'a  6', 33'
McInerney  75'
Con: Kuenzle  7', 35' (2/2)
Pen: Hansen  80+3' (1/1)
 Report Try: Wilson  43'
Scott-Young  46'
Con: O'Connor  44', 47' (2/2)
Pen: O'Connor  39', 50' (2/3)

Round 6
7 August 2020
19:05
Rebels 30–12 Brumbies
Try: Hodge  3', 23'
Wilkin  16'
Uelese  38'
Con: Toomua  17', 39' (2/4)
Pen: Toomua  32', 53' (2/2)
 Report Try: Powell  18'
Miller  80'
Con: Kuenzle  20' (1/1)
Liechhardt Oval 3
Referee: Graham Cooper
8 August 2020
19:15
(1 BP) Waratahs 45–12 Reds
Try: Gordon  10', 17', 27'
Maddocks  24'
Newsome  35'
Horton  52'
Con: Harrison  11', 18', 25', 29', 36' (5/5)
Donaldson  53' (1/1)
Pen: Harrison  5' (1/1)
 Report Try: Hardy  54'
O'Connor  80+2'
Con: O'Connor  80+3' (1/2)

Round 7
14 August 2020
19:05
Western Force 8–28 Waratahs
Try: Stander  15'
Pen: Prior  28'
 Report Try: Newsome  35'
Maddocks  45'
Johnson-Holmes  80'
Con: Harrison  36', 46' (2/2)
Pen: Harrison  9', 20', 32' (3/3)
15 August 2020
19:15
(1 BP) Reds 19–3 Rebels
Try: Petaia  14'
Paenga-Amosa  28'
Stewart  73'
Con: O'Connor  15', 29' (2/3)
 Report Pen: Toomua  8' (1/1)

Round 8
21 August 2020
19:05
Western Force v Reds
22 August 2020
19:15
Brumbies v Waratahs

Round 9
28 August 2020
19:05
Brumbies v Western Force
29 August 2020
19:15
Rebels v Waratahs
Liechhardt Oval 3

Round 10
4 September 2020
19:05
Rebels v Western Force
5 September 2020
19:15
Reds v Brumbies

Qualifying final
12 September 2020
2nd Seed v 3rd Seed
TBD

Final
19 September 2020
1st Seed v Winner qualifying final
TBD

Squads

Notes
  • ^1 Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the Rebels moved this home fixture from AAMI Park to Brookvale Oval, New South Wales, in order to respect the regulations imposed by the Queensland Government.[14]
  • ^2 Due to tight border restrictions, the Western Force moved their rounds 4 & 5 home matches from HBF Park to Leichhardt Oval, New South Wales.[15]
  • ^3 Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the Rebels moved their rounds 6 & 9 home fixtures from AAMI Park to Leichhardt Oval, New South Wales.[15][16]
  • ^4 Due to tight border restrictions, the Western Force moved their rounds 7 & 8 home matches from HBF Park to Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, Queensland.[17]
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See also

References
  1. "Suncorp Stadium derby to open Super Rugby AU competition". Rugby Australia. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  2. "PM opens door for Super Rugby AU crowds". Rugby Australia. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  3. "Super Rugby AU to introduce a host of law trials". Rugby Australia. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  4. "World Rugby creates access to optional domestic law trials to further reduce COVID-19 risk". World Rugby. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  5. https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/super-rugby-reds-vs-waratahs-news-score-live-updates-teams-blog-how-to-watch-start-time/news-story/1082464781
  6. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-04/super-rugby-au-brumbies-down-melbourne-rebels-31-23-in-canberra/12423258
  7. https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/queensland-reds-remain-unbeaten-with-31-24-win-over-force/628576
  8. "Plus500 Brumbies Finalise 2020 Super Rugby Squad" (Press release). Brumbies. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  9. "Melbourne Rebels unveil full 2020 playing squad" (Press release). Melbourne Rebels. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  10. "St. George Queensland Reds confirm 2020 squad" (Press release). Queensland Reds. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  11. "NSW Waratahs Squad". NSW Waratahs. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  12. "NSW Waratahs add more names to their Elite Development Squad" (Press release). NSW Waratahs. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  13. "Community colours". Western Force. 14 February 2020. Archived from the original on 6 March 2020.
  14. "Super Rugby Returns to Brookvale Oval". Melbourne Rebels. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  15. "Rugby returns to Leichhardt Oval as Fox ratings plateau". Sydney Morning Herald. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  16. "Rebels Confirm Waratahs Blockbuster for Leichhardt Oval". Melbourne Rebels. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  17. "Western Force fixture update". Western Force. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
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