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Fri, 16/09/2022, 7:58 am
Nathan Williamson
The Highlanders headed to Melbourne looking for a much needed win against the high flying Brumbies.
Super Rugby Pacific has confirmed 'Super Round' will return to Melbourne in 2023.
The concept was introduced as part of the new competition, which shifted to April after COVID caused havoc at the start of the season.
It will see Melbourne host all 12 teams in Round Two, taking place at AAMI Park from March 3-5.
The defending Super Rugby Pacific champions Crusaders will open proceedings against the Highlanders, followed by the Rebels facing the Hurricanes.
This will be followed on Saturday by the two recent expansion sides, Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua, taking on the Chiefs and Waratahs respectively.
A blockbuster semi-final rematch headlines Sunday with the Blues facing the Brumbies whilst the Force and Reds close out the three-day event.
“For sporting fans across the world and the nation, there’s no better place to be than in Victoria over the next week - and next year will be even bigger with the return of a weekend-long festival of Super Rugby in 2023," Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said in a statement.
“Our year-round calendar of world-class events will be even better with the addition of Super Round Melbourne in 2023, which is set to draw thousands of interstate and international visitors to Victoria.”
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The Crusaders closed out the Super Round with a clash against the Rebels.
With more than 30,000 rugby fans attending the first ever Super Round over the ANZAC weekend, SAZAAR CEO Brendan Morris remained confident they can build on it whilst 'building on the lessons of last year.'
“It is fantastic that based on last year’s success we are heading to Melbourne once again for Super Round," Morris believes.
"The concept of having all the matches at one venue, in one city, over a single weekend is a big attraction for the tournament and is appealing to our fans.
"We are building on the lessons of last year to deliver an even bigger Super Round in March next year in Melbourne.
"The teams and players are all focussed on Super Round and are all enthusiastically behind the event which showcases some of the best rugby players in the world, and all that is good about rugby in the Pacific.”
“Super Round Melbourne is quickly establishing itself as one of the pinnacle Rugby events on the sporting calendar. To bring all 12 teams to Melbourne is an incredibly unique opportunity for fans to see their heroes in one place over one weekend,” TEG CEO Geoff Jones added.
“We look forward to creating a hugely exciting festival of rugby and welcome fans from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. This weekend will showcase the very best of Super Rugby Pacific.”
Super Round Match Schedule:
Friday 3 March
Crusaders v Highlanders, 6.00pm
Melbourne Rebels v Hurricanes, 8.10pm
Saturday 4 March
Moana Pasifika v Chiefs, 5.05pm
Fijian Drua v Waratahs, 7.45pm
Sunday 5 March
Blues v Brumbies, 2.00pm
Force v Reds, 4.30pm
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/super-...n-2023-2022915
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Monday 6 March will be WA Labor Day Holiday.......very tempting
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Force V Reds does that mean we lose a home game?
We scrum for posession, run for the try zone, bleed for the team and live for the game
Fair enough. It was such a raging success last year.![]()
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
And Rugby Australia continues the urban legend that Melbourne is the Sporting Capital of the world.
If only they would add the much-needed caveat. ***Of Sports that the people of Melbourne like.
Exile
Port Macquarie
"I don’t know where you’re at in your life or what you’re going through, but I wanna tell you to keep going, baby. I wanna tell you success is on the other side of it.
I wanna tell you it’s gonna be okay. I wanna tell you that the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason, because what’s in front of you is so much more important than what’s behind you."
Jelly Roll
IIRC, it was all the Kiwi teams + 1 Australian team (match postponed) - who dropped home games. I think NZ's Covid situation was taken into calculations.
2023 sees two Kiwi teams, Moana, Drua and one Australian team cop it.
Now; with tinfoil hats on.....anyone care to take a swipe at which Oz team misses out again???![]()
"The main difference between playing League and Union is that now I get my hangovers on Monday instead of Sunday - Tom David
In return, we have this [albeit AFL-related]: Tourism Minister Roger Cook keen to speak to AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan about hosting proposed Magic Round. Apparently 9 games on 1 weekend at Optus.
edit: When locked out by The West, go to Perthnow
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Last edited by blueandblack; 21-09-22 at 06:20.
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
Was the tin hat really necessary...?
https://www.theroar.com.au/rugby-uni...ugby-fixtures/
Anyone else thinking of going?
The Force have a great members package available for $1,329 including return air fares, accommodation (with breakfast), three day rugby pass.
Fly out Friday 3rd and return on Monday 6th (public holiday).
So far we have five going;
The InnFORCEr
Super Barmaid
Cedric Rainwater
Eley
Stone Cold
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Force trip! Pretty sure our last one was to Qld in 2016
Laugh and the world laughs with you.......
......cry and you'll weaken your beer
fortunately thats the weekend I start holidays. I might be able to join in... Only a maybe at this stage
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
Correct, my last tour was to NZ just before we were axed in 2017. Will have to dig the old shirt out.
https://twf.com.au/showthread.php?t=...he+InnFORCEers
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!