McKellar’s Waratahs get off to a dream start with new draw, super round put on hold for 2025

Dan McKellar has every chance of giving his new Super Rugby Pacific team a dream draw to put the Waratahs back on the winners’ list early.

McKellar, who was announced as Darren Coleman’s replacement last July after finishing 2024 in last place, will begin the campaign by hosting three teams who finished in the bottom six the previous season.

McKellar’s Waratahs will kick off their campaign against the Highlanders on Friday February 14 before an early bye in round two.

The Waratahs will then host Drua and Force before facing traditional rivals Queensland Reds in Brisbane on March 15.

Les Kiss’ Reds will lick their lips early after receiving their first bye before hosting Moana Pasifika on Friday February 21. The Kiss’ Reds then face the Force in Perth and the Crusaders.

Dan McKellar’s new-look Waratahs team have had a dream start to the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. (Photo: Pete Dovgan/Speed ​​​​Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Rugby Australia officials will be quietly pleased with the soft start provided to both traditional heavyweight states.

Meanwhile, the Brumbies make a trickier start to their campaign as they travel to Suva to take on Drua on Saturday 15 February. They also face the Chiefs and Blues on back-to-back weekends in rounds 3 and 4.

Simon Cron’s Western Force will be hoping to start the season strong against Moana Pasifika. However, it may not be as easy as it once was for Tana Umaga’s side to lure several quality players, including Ardie Savea.

Click here to view the full 2025 Super Rugby Pacific draw.

The Brumbies are scheduled to open the season against the Hurricanes. (Photo credit: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

The concept was shelved until 2025 after previously hosting a Super Round in Melbourne.

The Waratahs will also have one of their two finals matches on Anzac weekend, while the Reds are scheduled to host the Blues on Friday April 25. On the same night the Chiefs host the Force and the Brumbies will face the Hurricanes in Canberra. Saturday, April 26th.

There are only three Sunday afternoon schedules.

The 2025 season will include 77 round-robin games over an extended 16-round regular season, culminating in a six-team finals series.

Each of the 11 teams will play 14 regular season games, including 7 home games and 7 away games, and will receive two byes each.

Jack Mesley, CEO of Super Rugby Pacific, said: “We are delighted to be releasing the 2025 draw so our members and fans can mark the date in their diaries and make plans for the season ahead.”

“From Suva to Sydney, Canberra to Christchurch and even a blockbuster in Tonga, our competition will again deliver a fast, physical and thrilling brand of rugby featuring some of our game’s greatest players.

“Traditional rivalries will be rekindled and new challengers will emerge as reigning champions the Blues defend their title for the first time in 20 years.”