Australian clubs lock in pre-season trials ahead of Super Rugby Pacific
Fierce state rivalries will be renewed in late January and early February, with all four Australian clubs confirming their pre-season trial fixtures and dates ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies and Western Force will play two matches each against Australian rivals before the Super Rugby Pacific regular season begins on February 13, which includes an opening-round blockbuster in Sydney.
New South Wales host arch-rivals Queensland in round one, but those two sides will also meet in a pre-season fixture on January 31. The Reds host the Tahs at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, January 31.
The Brumbies will make their way to Perth for a pre-season showdown with the Force at Scotch College on January 30. They will host the Waratahs at Marist College in Canberra the following Thursday on February 5.
“Marist continues to provide high quality athletes into the junior and senior academy pathway programmes here at the Brumbies,” ACT Brumbies General Manager of High Performance Cam Treloar said in a statement.
“Senior players Rory Scott and Liam Bowron are ex-pupils of Marist, and they like many others, have showcased the rich rugby history of the school and why it is important for the team to stay connected here in Canberra.
“The fields and facilities have also been a major factor in bringing this trial match back to Marist. They have worked hard to get it to a great standard, and we hope in return we can put a great performance on for the school.”
Queensland travel west for their first trial on January 23, before hosting the Tahs at the end of the month. That match in Brisbane gives fans an opportunity to see new club recruits, like Carter Gordon and Ben Volavola, before the regular season gets underway.
Pre-season trial matches for Australian Super Rugby Pacific teams
NSW Waratahs
Saturday, January 31: Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs at Ballymore Stadium, 2:00 pm AEST
Thursday, February 5: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Marist College, 1:30 pm AEDT
Queensland Reds
Friday, January 23: Western Force v Queensland Reds at Scotch College, Perth, 6:35 pm AEST
Saturday, January 31: Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs at Ballymore Stadium, 2:00 pm AEST
ACT Brumbies
Friday, January 30: Western Force v ACT Brumbies at Scotch College, 7:35 pm AEDT
Thursday, February 5: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Marist College, 1:30 pm AEDT
Western Force
Friday, January 23: Western Force v Queensland Reds at Scotch College, Perth, 6:35 pm AEST
Friday, January 30: Western Force v ACT Brumbies at Scotch College, 7:35 pm AEDT
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