The Fijian Drua have put out a rallying call to fans across Australia to support their first ever Super Rugby Pacific match against the NSW Waratahs at CommBank Stadium on Friday 18 February.
The historic match was confirmed yesterday as the NSW Waratahs and the Fijian Drua announced their home venues for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Fijian Drua CEO Brian Thorburn said although the Round 1 blockbuster was an “away match” for his team, both the Drua and the Waratahs – along with home venue CommBank Stadium in the heart of Western Sydney – recognise the historic nature of this event.
“We’re calling on Fijian fans and rugby supporters everywhere to come out in numbers, paint CommBank Stadium blue and fill it with the sounds of Fiji. Let’s show the rugby world what it means for Fiji to have its own team in Super Rugby,” he said.
The Drua have announced separately that their huge Round 13 match against fellow debutants and Pacific vuvale Moana Pasifika will also be played at CommBank Stadium on 14 May.
“This will be a match for the ages as the Drua and Moana go head to head. Friendships and kava will flow after the match, but it will be fierce action on the field with high energy and high impact rugby that Pacific Islanders are renowned for,” Mr Thorburn said.
“The boys are chomping at the bit for this particular match, which will serve up a treat for Fijian, Samoan, Tongan and other Pacific fans.”
The NSW Waratahs will play out of three venues with CommBank Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground joining Leichhardt Oval as the home venues for the Tahs in season 2022.
NSW Waratahs CEO Paul Doorn said he was delighted to lock in season 2022 venues for the Waratahs’ Members and partners.
“We have worked closely with Venues NSW and look forward to hosting the Fijian Drua at CommBank Stadium for their first ever Super Rugby match in Round 1, as well as returning to one of the most iconic venues in world sport, the SCG, to face the Rebels,” he said.
“As we navigate the final season away from our brand-new home at the Sydney Football Stadium, we are excited to lock in Leichhardt Oval for five of our seven fixtures.
“The decision to host most our fixtures at Leichhardt Oval provides an opportunity for a consistent game-day experience for our Members and partners at one of the most iconic small grounds in NSW.
“After years of splitting games across the Greater Sydney metropolitan area and regional NSW we are excited to build a real sense of a home venue for the side at Leichhardt Oval in 2022.
“I’d like to thank our Members, fans, and Venues NSW for their continued support of the team throughout the redevelopment of the Sydney Football Stadium.”
The Waratahs’ 2022 ticket prices remain very affordable, with adult GA tickets priced at $20 and Cat 1 at $52, while Membership packages start at just $34 for a Two-Game Flexi Adult Membership, which includes a Waratahs ISC supporter hat and key ring.
In line with previous seasons, all registered NSW junior players aged 16 and under will be able to attend Waratah’s home matches free of charge.
Waratahs 2022 Super Rugby Pacific Fixtures:
Round 1: Waratahs v Fijian Drua, Friday 18 February, CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Round 2: Waratahs v Reds, Friday 25 February, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Round 3: Brumbies v Waratahs, Saturday 5 March, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Round 4: Force v Waratahs, Friday 11 March, HBF Park, Perth
Round 5: Waratahs v Rebels, Saturday 19 March, Sydney Cricket Ground
Round 6: Reds v Waratahs, Saturday 26 March, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Round 7: Fijian Drua v Waratahs, Friday 1 April, Venue TBC
Round 8: BYE
Round 9: Waratahs v Force, Saturday 16 April, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Round 10: Chiefs v Waratahs, Friday 22 April, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Round 11: Waratahs v Crusaders, Saturday 30 April, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Round 12: Moana Pasifika v Waratahs, Saturday 7 May, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Round 13: Waratahs v Hurricanes, Saturday 14 May, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Round 14: Highlanders v Waratahs, Sunday 21 May, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Round 15: Waratahs v Blues, Saturday 28 May, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
