Before you know it, the rugby season will be back underway!
It is now under three weeks until the start of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, with the Super Rugby Women’s season set to commence exactly two weeks afterwards.
With the Wallabies’ first camp of 2025 now out of the way, things are expected to get underway a lot quicker than usual in 2025 – as both the men’s and women’s sides of the game will face their biggest seasons of rugby in years.
The Wallabies will welcome the British & Irish Lions in July, before travelling to take on the current World Champions South Africa for two Tests, with Test matches against Los Pumas and the All Blacks to follow.
With a pre-Lions warm-up fixture against Fiji, the Wallabies are already set to play ten Tests in 2025 – with Autumn Nations fixtures to be confirmed.
FULL WALLABIES FIXTURE LIST<<<
The Wallaroos will also have a packed schedule, with the Rugby World Cup set to be played in England in August 2025.
Jo Yapp’s side, following their annual warm-up fixture against Fiji, will co-host the Pacific Nations series with New Zealand and an additional two-match series against Wales – culminating in seven fixtures and ten guaranteed matches for the year, pending their World Cup pool form.
FULL WALLAROOS FIXTURE LIST<<<
With such a big year, the provincial sides will be hitting the ground running with trial matches ahead of both seasons. Full details on each team can be found below.
NOTE: this page will be under heavy construction as results come through and new fixtures are announced, amended and included. Trial updates are correct as of Tuesday, 28th January 2025.
Super Rugby Pacific
Langi Gleeson. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
NSW Waratahs
Results:
- NSW Waratahs 43-17 Kubota Spears – Spears Edoriku Field, Chiba – 3rd December 2024 – video unavailable
- NSW Waratahs 73-7 NSW Pacifica – Eric Tweedale Stadium, Sydney – 25th January 2025 – WATCH
Upcoming trials:
- NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies – Bowral Rugby Club – 1st February 2025
The Waratahs have started strongly in their preseason preparations, putting Japan League One side Kubota Spears and an NSW Pacifica side to the sword in convincing fashion.
What has stood out the most is the dangerous attacking flair on display and an abundance of depth, which bodes well for head coach Dan McKellar.
The side will conclude their preseason with their third and final match, against the Brumbies in Bowral.
Connor Vest and Tate McDermott. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)
Queensland Reds
Results:
- Queensland Reds 35-36 Wales – Sucorp Stadium, Brisbane – 19th July 2024 – WATCH
- Queensland Reds 41-14 Tonga – Tenefaira Field Stadium, Nuku’alofa – 26th July 2024 – WATCH
- Queensland Reds 59-29 Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights – Kumagaya Rugby Ground, Japan – 27th October 2024 – video unavailable
- Queensland Reds 48-28 Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights – Kumagaya Rugby Ground, Japan – 4th November 2024 – WATCH
Upcoming trials:
- Queensland Reds v Bristol Bears – Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol – 31st January 2025 – video unavailable
- Queensland Reds v Ulster – Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – 7th February 2025
The Reds have been the busiest side by far since the conclusion of the 2024 Super Rugby season, taking an international flair to their fixtures. This has taken the form of matches against Wales and Tonga, before their annual Shield clash with Robbie Deans’ Panasonic Wild Knights, with the Reds prevailing on both occasions.
The side has announced a 34-man squad for their final two pre-season matches, taking the form of a European tour to England and Ireland to the Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate, before completing their tour against Les Kiss’ old side, Ulster in Belfast.
They will enjoy a week off, missing the first round of Super Rugby Pacific with the bye.
Harry Vella makes a carry against the Western Force (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
ACT Brumbies
Results: None
Upcoming trials:
- ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs – Bowral Rugby Club – 1st February 2025
- ACT Brumbies v Western Force – Marist College, Canberra – 7th February 2025
At the time of writing, the Brumbies are the only side to have not played any tour matches since the end of the 2024 Super Rugby season – understandably so given that Rugby Australia took over operational control of the franchise back in August.
However, following a busy few months behind the scenes the club is set to play two trials leading up to their first match of the season, travelling to Bowral to face the Waratahs before hosting the Western Force in Canberra.
Western Force
Results:
- Western Force 38-23 Toyota Cheetahs – Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein – 3rd October 2024 – WATCH
- Western Force 24-29 Emerging Ireland – Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein – 6th October 2024 – WATCH
- Western Force 34-33 Western Province XV – Markotter Stadium, Stellenbosch – 12th October 2024 – video unavailable
Upcoming trials:
- Western Force v ACT Brumbies – Marist College, Canberra – 7th February 2025
Like the Reds, the Western Force have enjoyed a busy off-season, replicating 2023 by taking part in a development tour of South Africa, featuring many of their new arrivals. The improvement of the squad has been noted, picking up wins over the Toyota Cheetahs and Western Province, while going down in a close-fought contest with Emerging Ireland.
Following a Fan Day to commence on February 1st, the team will head to Canberra for their last trial at the time of writing, playing the Brumbies.
The Fijian Drua will be the first side to commence trials for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
Non-Australian sides
Outside of Australia, several Super Rugby teams will be undertaking trials in the lead-up to the season, with the Fijian Drua making history when they became the first Super Rugby side to play Major League Rugby side – hosting Rugby FC Los Angeles in Lautoka, winning 33-26.
“With LA hosting the next Olympics and the 2031 Rugby World Cup heading to the USA, it’s a remarkable time for Rugby in America,” said Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley ahead of the contest.
“As a competition, we are excited by the opportunity to build stronger ties with the MLR, grow rugby in the broader Pacific region and showcase our great clubs like the Fijian Drua to new audiences.”
The match will be a momentous occasion for the American side, having only entered MLR less than twelve months ago.
“We are very grateful to the Fijian Drua and all in Fiji who have made this historic opportunity possible,” said RFCLA CEO Pete Sickle in an official statement.
“As a new franchise in a relatively new competition, we are honoured to share a Super Rugby Pacific Pitch in Fiji — a beautiful country with a passionate rugby community.
“For our players and our fans, this momentous preseason fixture reflects the substantial growth our franchise has achieved in its first twelve months.”
Despite being favourites and eventually prevailing in the final ten minutes of the match, the MLR side asked plenty of questions of the Drua – but the home side also had some encouraging signs in the form of developing depth.
The Highlanders are set to return to Invercargill for their pre-season clashes. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
In other trials, all New Zealand-based sides (including Moana Pasifika) will kick off their pre-season in late January/early February, with all sides confirming two pre-season trials at various regional grounds all around the country.
Fijian Drua
Results:
- Fijian Drua 33-26 Rugby FC Los Angeles – Churchill Park, Lautoka – 24th January 2025 – HIGHLIGHTS
Blues
Upcoming trials:
- Blues v Crusaders – Kirwee Rugby Football Club – 31st January 2025
- Blues v Hurricanes – William Jones Park, Wainuiomata – 7th February 2025
Hurricanes
Upcoming trials:
- Hurricanes v Chiefs – Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth – 1st February 2025
- Hurricanes v Blues – William Jones Park, Wainuiomata – 7th February 2025
Chiefs
Upcoming trials:
- Chiefs v Hurricanes – Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth – 1st February 2025
- Chiefs v Moana Pasifika – Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe – 8th February 2025
Crusaders
Upcoming trials:
- Crusaders v Blues – Kirwee Rugby Football Club – 31st January 2025
- Crusaders v Highlanders – Rugby Park, Invercargill – 6th February 2025
Highlanders
Upcoming trials:
- Highlanders v Moana Pasifika – North Harbour Stadium, Albany – 31st January 2025
- Highlanders v Crusaders – Rugby Park, Invercargill – 6th February 2025
Moana Pasifika
Upcoming trials:
- Moana Pasifika v Highlanders – North Harbour Stadium, Albany – 31st January 2025
- Moana Pasifika v Chiefs – Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe – 8th February 2025
Super Rugby Women’s
NSW Waratahs Women
Results:
- NSW Waratahs Women 100-0 NSW Pacifica Women – Eric Tweedale Stadium, Sydney – 25th January 2025 – WATCH
Upcoming Trials:
- NSW Waratahs v Hurricanes Poua – TBC – 1st February 2025
- NSW Waratahs v Blues Women – TBC – 8th February 2025
- NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies – Campbelltown Harlequins Rugby Club – 15th February 2025
- NSW Waratahs v Western Force – UWA Sports Park – 22nd February 2025
The Waratahs have enjoyed a relatively quiet season in 2024, save for the Wallaroos end of year tour and the Next Gen Sevens tournament with Queensland, which saw several players take part. However, they’ve hit the ground running in 2025 – with a mammoth four trials.
The side commenced their title defence preparations with a commanding victory over the NSW Pacifica side, with several players in both the established side and in the expanded team putting forward cases for starting positions. The match also saw the return of several Wallaroos from injury, most notably, Piper Duck.
If there was any indication as to how Australian sides would fare against Super Rugby Aupiki sides, we will get an answer much sooner than planned Trans-Tasman clash after the end of each respective domestic season.
The Tahs are set to become the third Super Rugby Women’s side to go international for their pre-season – playing two matches in New Zealand against Aupiki sides the Blues and Hurricanes Poua. These matches, while unofficial trials, will mark the first time teams from the two competitions have played each other.
The Tahs will conclude their preseason when they host the Brumbies in Campbelltown and then will head across the Nullarbor for a final preseason clash with the Western Force.
Will the Reds end their losing streak over the Waratahs? (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Queensland Reds
Results:
- Queensland Reds Women 65-0 Tonga Women – Tenefaira Field Stadium, Nuku’alofa – 26th July 2024 – WATCH
- Reds Development XV 21-24 NZ Universities – Wests Rugby Club, Brisbane – 12th October 2024 – WATCH
Upcoming Trials:
- Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies – Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane – 8th February 2025
- Queensland Reds v Western Force – Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane – 15th February 2025
The Reds have enjoyed a busy season, with the main side playing a match against the Tongan Womens side as part of a doubleheader with the men’s team, with a development side also playing a thriller against NZ Universities, in addition to the Next Gen Sevens.
The side will enjoy two more matches against the ACT Brumbies and the Western Force, and like the men’s side, will enjoy the first round off with a bye.
Siokapesi Palu. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
ACT Brumbies
Results: None
Upcoming Trials:
- ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds – Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane – 8th February 2025
- ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs – Campbelltown Harlequins Rugby Club – 15th February 2025
- ACT Brumbies v Fijiana Drua – GIO Stadium, Canberra – 22nd February 2025
Similar to the men, the Brumbies women have also had a quiet off-season, however, they will be set to a busy February, hopping on the road for back-to-back away fixtures against the Reds and Waratahs respectively, before a final home trial against the Fijiana Drua at GIO Stadium as a warm up to the Brumbies opening home fixture of the season.
Lucy Dinnen of the Force. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
Western Force
Results:
- Western Force 12-19 Pearls & 12-17 Yokohama TKM – Nagano – 19th October 2024
- Western Force 24-27 Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix – Fujiyoshida – 27th October 2024
- Western Force 0-7 Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix & 7-5 Yokogawa Musashino Artemi Stars – Tokyo – 2 November 2024
Upcoming Trials:
- Western Force v Rugby Victoria – Wanneroo Rugby Club – 9th February 2025
- Western Force vs Queensland Reds – Ballymore Stadium – 15th February 2025
- Western Force vs NSW Waratahs – UWA Sports Park – 22nd February 2025
Lastly, the Western Force Women enjoyed a long development tour of Japan, with four 40-minute hybrid matches and a clash against the Japanese champions Tokyo Sakyu Phoenix, narrowly going down.
The side has confirmed its final preseason matches, with three more games set to be played out in February in the lead-up to the start of the season.
The side will kick off against a Rugby Victoria representative side at Wanneroo, followed by matches against the Reds in Queensland and the Waratahs at UWA Sports Park to round out preparations.
