Following the recent 2021 Super Rugby AU statement from the club, we can confirm that our in-principle agreement (subject to a participatory agreement being agreed to by all parties) also includes the historic Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition that was announced by Rugby Australia on Friday 13 November.
The news means the Western Force are set to host a minimum of six home games during the 2021 season (including four in Super Rugby AU and two in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman).
The announced draw sees the Force open their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign with successive home games in front of the Sea of Blue at HBF Park against the Chiefs (Round 1 on 14/15 May) and the Highlanders (Round 2).
These will be followed by a Round 3 ‘Super Round’ where all matches will be played at one location, over one weekend. The Round 3 blockbuster fixture sees your Western Force take on the Hurricanes.
Following the opening three rounds, the Force are expected to travel across to New Zealand to take on the Crusaders (Round 4) and Blues (Round 5) in Super Rugby for the first time since 2017.
The Final will be played between the top two placed teams on the combined competition table with the team who finished first to host the decider on 19 June.
Today’s announcement by Rugby Australia is another milestone day for Australian rugby in what has been a hugely positive week for the sport.
Information regarding 2021 Western Force Membership benefits and ticketing will be announced shortly.
Rugby Australia’s Announcement:
The Trans-Tasman tournament will feature an additional 26 games over six straight weeks, kicking off on Friday 14 May next year, with a Final on Saturday 19 June 2021.
The competition will feature all 10 Super Rugby teams with each Australian team to play each New Zealand team in 25 crossover matches before the Final.
All 26 matches in the tournament will be live and on demand, ad-free, as part of a new add-on sports package which will become available on Stan in 2021.
A selected match during each week of the tournament will also be simulcast live free-to-air on the Nine Network.
Rugby Australia interim Chief Executive Rob Clarke said: “This is a truly historic day for Rugby in the southern hemisphere, with the first-ever Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby competition.
“This will generate enormous excitement across both countries with some of the best players in the world set to challenge each other after the conclusion of Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Aotearoa.
“I’d like to thank Mark Robinson and his team at New Zealand Rugby for working so closely with us. Bring on 2021!” Clarke said.
2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman – Western Force Fixtures*
Round One
14-15 May 2021
Western Force v Chiefs
Round Two
21-22 May 2021
Western Force v Highlanders
Round Three – Super Round
28-29 May 2021
Hurricanes v Western Force
Round Four
4-5 June 2021
Crusaders v Western Force
Round Five
11-12 June 2021
Blues v Western Force
Final
Saturday 19 June 2021
*All fixtures are subject to change
