Sport | Rugby Union |
---|---|
First season | 2020 |
Ceased | 2021 |
No. of teams | 5 |
Country | Australia |
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 website | SuperRugby.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]