Super Rugby AU

Super Rugby AU
Official Logo
SportRugby Union
First season2020
Ceased2021
No. of teams5
CountryAustralia
Last
champion(s)
Reds (2021; 1st title)
Most titles
TV partner(s)See broadcasters
Sponsor(s)Harvey Norman
Related
competitions
Super Rugby
Super Rugby Aotearoa
Super Rugby Unlocked
Official websiteSuperRugby.com

Super Rugby AU, formerly named the Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU for sponsorship purposes,[1] was a rugby union competition organised by Rugby Australia. The competition was created to supplant the 2020 Super Rugby season, which had been suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to ongoing international travel restrictions relating to the pandemic, the competition was continued with a second season in 2021.[2] The competition features the four Australian Super Rugby teams from the Australian conference, with the addition of the Western Force, in a round-robin tournament over a 12-week period, made up of 10 rounds, a qualifying final and a final.

The competition was announced on 12 May,[3] 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 were played behind-closed-doors, with restrictions on crowds being eased over time.[4][5]

  1. ^ "Harvey Norman announced as Super Rugby AU naming rights partner for 2021". Rugby.com.au. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Revealed: Rugby Australia announce 2021 Super Rugby AU draw". www.rugby.com.au. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Suncorp Stadium derby to open Super Rugby AU competition". Rugby Australia. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  4. ^ "PM opens door for Super Rugby AU crowds". Rugby Australia. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Brumbies get crowd boost for Super AU decider". ESPN.com. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.