Waratahs come to Rebels' aid with game swap as home fixtures confirmed
The Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels have agreed to a game swap in round four of Super Rugby AU as NSW confirmed its last two home matches would be played at the SCG.
The Rebels’ round four clash was set to take place at AAMI Stadium in Melbourne but for a number of weeks there had been talk of moving the fixture to NSW given the developing situation in Victoria regarding new COVID-19 outbreaks. That state reported 270 new cases on Tuesday.
Jack Dempsey and other Waratahs players after a training session at the SCG. Credit:Julius Dimataga/NSW Rugby
The game will now take place on July 24 at the SCG and while the intention is for the Rebels to host NSW in round nine, though that seems unlikely given border restrictions and uncertainty around the pandemic.
“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,” said NSW Rugby boss Paul Doorn. “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.”
The Rebels have a bye this week and will remain in Sydney leading into their next match against the Waratahs.
Meanwhile, the Waratahs confirmed their final home match of the season will be played at the SCG against the Queensland Reds on August 8.
They will then be on the road until the end of the home and away season.
The Waratahs fell short 32-26 against the Reds in Brisbane before recovering from a slow start to beat the Western Force 23-14 on Saturday.
They have a tough assignment on Saturday against the Brumbies on Saturday at ANZ Stadium.
“They’re really the benchmark in Australia at the moment in terms of provincial teams,” said NSW assistant Matt Cockbain. “We’ve got to step up our game a fair bit but we’re prepared to do that and we’re confident if we play our style in the right ways we can get a victory.”
Waratahs Super Rugby AU fixtures
Round 3: NSW vs Brumbies, Saturday July 18 – ANZ Stadium
Round 4: NSW vs Rebels, Friday July 24 – SCG
Round 5: Bye
Round 6: NSW vs Reds, Saturday, August 8 – SCG
Round 7: Force vs NSW, Friday, August 14 - HBF Park, Perth
Round 8: Brumbies vs NSW, Saturday, August 22 - GIO Stadium
Round 9: Rebels vs NSW, Saturday, August 29 - TBC
Round 10: Bye
Qualifying Final (2nd vs 3rd): Saturday, September 12
Final (1st vs winner of Qualifying Final): Saturday, September 19