Two Australian derbies punctuate opening round of 2010 Super 14 season
Australia's halves pairing of Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes face tough initiations for their new clubs when round one of the 2010 Super 14 season kicks off next February.
The 2010 draw will see former Western Force star Giteau make his long-awaited Brumbies return at Perth's Subiaco Oval, while Barnes debuts for New South Wales Waratahs against Queensland Reds at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
The Force-Brumbies clash opens the season in Australia on Friday, February 12 while the interstate grudge match between the Reds and Waratahs will be played on Saturday night, February 13.
Wallabies inside centre Barnes took Reds coaches and teammates by surprise when he defected to arch-rivals NSW in late July after four unsuccessful seasons at Ballymore.
The Queensland vice-captain was warmly welcomed back to Suncorp Stadium in Saturday night's Test win over South Africa but he expects a far different reception early next year.
Queensland's draw also includes a round three return to Ballymore where they will meet the Auckland-based Blues due to a clash with a Socceroos international.
While the Reds host seven matches in the 14 fixture rounds, the Waratahs have six home games - against the Brumbies, Sharks, Lions, Blues, Cheetahs and Hurricanes.
"Our recent record against the teams we play at home in 2010 is extremely strong,'' NSW chief executive Jim L'Estrange said.
"In 2008 we played the same six sides at home and won all six, plus a semi against the Sharks.''
NSW and the Brumbies both head to South Africa for two-match tours after their opening round encounters against the Bulls and Stormers.
Like the Reds, the Brumbies have seven home matches in a draw which sits well with the star-studded side.
"We'll be hoping to get a few results in those first three weeks and return to seven of our next nine matches at home which can really set up our season,'' Brumbies coach Andy Friend said.
Next year will be the last for the Super 14, with a new team, likely to be from Melbourne, to be admitted to the competition in 2011.
The Super 15 will also see the 16-week competition expand to 22 weeks with home-and-away local derby clashes and a six-team finals format.
"Having two all-Australian matches to start the season is extremely appealing,'' ARU chief executive John O'Neill said.
"There is nothing like local derbies to drive interest heading into the season and to whet the appetites of fans and viewers.''
Defending champions the Bulls start their campaign against 2009 wooden-spooners the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html
