NSW Waratahs fixtures confirmed with announcement of 2017 Super Rugby draw

Sep 20 • General News, International, Super Rugby • 1458 Views • Comments Off on NSW Waratahs fixtures confirmed with announcement of 2017 Super Rugby draw

The 2017 Super Rugby draw has been announced today with the NSW Waratahs set for another blockbuster line-up of exciting match-ups.

The Tahs will kick off their 2017 campaign with an opening home game clash against the Western Force who, in recent years, have proven to be a huge challenge to NSW.

The team head to South Africa early next season with the opportunity to tackle two tough opponents in the Lions and Sharks in rounds two and three ahead of a third South African battle against the Kings at home on ANZAC Day weekend.

The expanded tournament sees the Tahs play each one of the New Zealand outfits, with a clash against the Crusaders in a Sunday afternoon thriller at Allianz Stadium in April.

The draw once again includes the local derbies against neighbouring rivals, the Brumbies and Queensland Reds, two games against the Force and the Melbourne Rebels, while their last home game of the regular season sees the Tahs face the Argentinian-based Jaguares for the very first time.

The introduction of the Jaguares as one of two new teams added to the competition in 2016, together with the Sunwolves, offers a tantalising different style of rugby.

In 2017 supporters will be able to witness the inaugural clash between the two sides at home in Sydney. If the success of the Tahs’ first match against the Sunwolves this year in front of a packed house in Japan is anything to go by, the match should prove a spectacle for fans both here and abroad.

NSW Waratahs Head Coach, Daryl Gibson said he was excited by the draw in 2017.

“We have a tough seven game start to the competition where we face some quality teams,” Gibson said.

“Having an early trip to South Africa and a consistent run of games is a great way to get ourselves into the competition. I know the guys will love the challenge.

“The expanded tournament format throws up a number of tests, as we found this year, but we’re looking forward to it.

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who we face or what our draw is like, our focus is on performing to get a result and to make the finals.”

This will be the second season for the 17-round, four-conference tournament structure that sees each team play 15 matches and have two byes. As in 2016, each team will play six matches within its own conference and nine matches against other conference teams.

The NSW Waratahs 2017 Super Rugby fixtures are available here.

To download the NSW Waratahs e-calendar to your diary visit www.waratahs.com.au/draw.