Flashback … the NSW Waratahs take on their Fijian rivals during the 2022 SRW grand final in Melbourne. Photo: Sarah Friend/DFAT
A historic trans-Tasman clash will round out the 2025 Super Rugby Women’s (SRW) season after the draw was released today.
The winner of the SRW competition will be crowned on April 12 at North Sydney Oval then play the Super Rugby Aupiki (NZ) champions five days later to decide the inaugural Women’s Super Rugby Champions.
The game is to be played on a Thursday in New Zealand.
Defending champions NSW Waratahs will kick off the season against the Fiji Drua on February 28 as one of six double headers with Super Rugby Pacific men’s games.
Meanwhile, four development fixtures featuring a Penina Pasifika side, featuring Samoan and Tongan players, will ensure the Australian SRW sides can take to the field each week during bye periods.
The team featured in pre-season action at the start of the year and brings together the best from the Pacific region, including World Cup-bound Samoan players.
“Super Rugby Women’s will go to another level in 2025 as our teams compete for both the championship and the right to participate in the first-ever Women’s Super Rugby Champions Final,” Rugby Australia’s general manager of women’s rugby, Jilly Collins, said in a statement.
“As well as a historic event for the women’s game, the final will be a showcase of elite women’s rugby that helps to elevate the game across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
“With the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup kicking off in August, there are so many storylines to play out as players across our competition fight for a spot on the plane to England.”
2025 DRAW
All times local; * denotes double-header with Super Rugby Pacific men’s games
ROUND 1
5.05pm, Friday, February 28, NSW Waratahs v Fiji Drua, Allianz Stadium, Sydney*
2.05pm, Saturday, March 1, WA Force v ACT Brumbies, HBF Park, Perth*
Development: 3pm, March 1, Qld Reds v Penina Pasifika, Ballymore, Brisbane
ROUND 2
1.05pm, March 8, Drua v Qld, Reds, Churchill Park, Lautoka*
5.05pm, March 8, Waratahs v Force, Allianz Stadium, Sydney*
Development: 2pm, March 8, Brumbies v Penina Pasifika, Canberra
ROUND 3
3.35pm, March 15, Drua v Brumbies, Churchill Park, Lautoka
2.05pm, March 16, Reds v Waratahs, Ballymore, Brisbane
Development: 3pm, March 15, Force v Penina Pasifika, McGillivray Oval, Perth
ROUND 4
1.05pm, March 22, Brumbies v Reds, Viking Park, Canberra
4.50pm, March 23, Force v Drua, HBF Park, Perth*
Development: 2pm, March 22, Waratahs v Penina Pasifika, Daceyville, Sydney
ROUND 5
5.05pm, March 28, Brumbies v Waratahs, GIO Stadium, Canberra*
1.05pm, March 30, Reds v Force, Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
SEMI-FINALS
April 4-5: The top two teams will host the semi-finals.
GRAND FINAL
2.35pm, Saturday, April 12, North Sydney Oval, Sydney
CHAMPIONS FINAL
7.05pm, Thursday, April 17, SRW Champion (Aust) v Super Rugby Aupiki (NZ) champion in New Zealand.
