Waratahs reveal fixture swap with Rebels

NEWS: The Waratahs have locked in the location of their final two home games in Super Rugby AU, while also confirming a fixture swap with the Melbourne Rebels in Round Four.

After facing the Western Force at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Round Two and with a return to ANZ Stadium this Saturday to face the Brumbies, the Waratahs will now have a third home game in succession following the fixture swap.

Originally intended to face off at AAMI Park in Round Four, both the Rebels and Waratahs have agreed to the swap given the current COVID-19 restrictions in place in Victoria.

Pending travel and other COVID-19 restrictions, the Waratahs will head south in their final regular-season game in Round Nine.

In other fixture news, it’s been confirmed the Waratahs will take on both the Rebels (Round Four) and the QLD Reds (Round Six) at the iconic SCG.

Story continues below...

NSW Rugby CEO, Paul Doorn said it was pleasing to confirm the final details of the Super Rugby AU fixture.

"It was a great night at the SCG [against the Force] and we’re so excited to be able to lock in the rest of our home games," Doorn said.

"We’ve been working closely with the [SCG] Trust to coordinate these fixtures in a very busy and challenging sporting landscape and they’ve once again been fantastic in helping get this over the line."

“The consistency of venue will be extremely beneficial from a high-performance perspective and I know the players enjoy playing at the SCG – a ground we have an excellent record at in recent times.

"Our Members and corporate partners were able to enjoy the game live at the SCG and we’re now working towards expanding that offering in line with bio-security protocols."

Doorn said the decision around the fixture swap with the Rebels was made in the best interests of the competition.

"The Rebels are in a really difficult situation [with travel restrictions] and we sympathise with the challenges they’re currently facing on a number of fronts," Doorn added.

"We have a responsibility as a game to support them as best we can, and it was a great example of two clubs and Rugby Australia coming together to reach a beneficial outcome for the competition."

Waratahs home fixtures:

Round Three: Waratahs v Brumbies, Saturday 18 July – ANZ Stadium

Round Four: Waratahs v Rebels, Friday 24 July – Sydney Cricket Ground

Round Six: Waratahs v QLD Reds, Saturday 8 August – Sydney Cricket Ground