- The Waratahs will play arch-rivals Queensland Reds at Stadium Australia on Saturday 27 March;
- Stadium Australia Members will have access to the game as part of their 2021 Stadium Membership;
- Stadium Australia will be one of three Sydney home venues for the NSW Waratahs in the 2021 Super Rugby AU season;
- The Waratahs have a proud history at Stadium Australia, having won their first Super Rugby title at the venue in 2014.
By Crystelle Cordero
See the full NSW Waratahs season draw here.
THE NSW Waratahs will return to Stadium Australia to take on arch-rivals Queensland Reds in a 2021 Super Rugby AU blockbuster on Saturday 27 March.
The Tahs have a proud history at Stadium Australia, having won their historic 2014 Super Rugby title at the Sydney Olympics venue.
Confirmation that Stadium Australia will be one of three home grounds used by the Waratahs across their domestic campaign in 2021 follows extensive discussions between the club, Stadium Australia and government agency Venues NSW.
The NSW Waratahs Super Rugby AU home venues are:
Round 3 v Western Force, Friday 5 March, Bankwest Stadium
Round 5 v Reds, Saturday 27 March, Stadium Australia
Round 6 v Brumbies, Friday 2 April, SCG
Round 10 v Rebels, Saturday 24 April, Bankwest Stadium
With venues for the AU competition confirmed, the Waratahs will now turn their attention to locking in locations for their two Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clashes on home soil.
NSW Rugby CEO Paul Doorn said it had been a challenge to finalise venues amidst a congested Sydney sporting market.
“We made it clear from the outset [of 2021 draw announcement] that we’d be staying in Sydney for our home games this season due to the logistics of travelling whilst the threat of COVID still lingers,” Mr Doorn said.
“Despite the number of stadiums within the Sydney Metropolitan Area, it’s been difficult to find availabilities that suit due to various codes locking in their 2021 draws.
“Many of those stadiums have long-term tenants already in place and a commitment to give them priority, which we completely respect.
“Venues NSW have been extremely helpful throughout this process and have the unenviable job of managing several codes within the SCG while the redevelopment next door continues.”
NSWRU General Manager of Business Operations Adam Fulepp said that there were several factors that come into finalising venues.
“We’re all extremely excited about the prospect of a new state-of-the-art home ground (at Moore Park),” Mr Fulepp said.
“In the meantime, we need to work closely with stadium providers to lock in venues across both competitions – taking in a number of factors as part of our decision-making.
“We understand there are grounds around Sydney that fans enjoy watching rugby from, but in many cases they aren’t available or don’t have the necessary facilities we require for a Super Rugby fixture.
“Priority has also been given to venues with allocated seating throughout, given the uncertainty of COVID, and the ability for us to operate safely and efficiently during the season should government restrictions change.
“We’ll now be working with Venues NSW in relation to the Trans-Tasman competition, with announcement to come early in the New Year.”
