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Locked in: Super Rugby Australia kick-off date confirmed as broadcast deal finalised

(Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Rugby Australia has reached a deal with Fox Sports to broadcast the new-look Super Rugby Australia competition, which will get underway on July 3.

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The two parties signed off on the crucial agreement on Wednesday for the revised arrangement following the shutdown of the international Super Rugby competition after seven rounds.

The five-team competition, which features the four Australian Super Rugby teams plus the Western Force, will be contested over 12 consecutive weekends and broadcast live.

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Foxtel also announced it had reached an agreement to air the New Zealand Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, which starts this weekend.

Under massive financial pressure, RA had been sweating on the deal to bring some much-needed funds back into the code.

There were fears that Foxtel may have played hard-ball and elected not to broadcast the new competition after negotiations broke down earlier this year for a new deal beyond 2020.

Will all teams starting on zero points, the Super Rugby AU season gets underway in Brisbane with the Queensland Reds hosting the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, July 3.

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The following night in Canberra, the Brumbies will host the Melbourne Rebels.

Western Force will begin its campaign in round two after an opening-round bye.

The competition will involve 10 weeks of round-robin matches before a two-week finals series featuring a qualifying final on September 12 and a final on September 19.

Rugby Australia interim CEO Rob Clarke said the next step was to announce the test-match schedule.

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“We will continue to work closely with Fox Sports and Foxtel on the schedule for the international season following the revised Super Rugby tournament and look forward to making further exciting announcements with regards to our 2020 test-match schedule,” Clarke said.

“Our focus is now back where it should be, getting Super Rugby AU up and running next month and watching our five Australian teams go head-to-head in week after week of Aussie derby action.”

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R
RedWarrior 42 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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