Canberra rugby fans will trade beanies and gloves for thongs and sunscreen when the Super Rugby season begins in predicted 39 degree heat on Friday night.
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ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds and Super Rugby officials are expected to agree to drinks breaks every 20 minutes as well as using ice vests and other cooling methods for the first January round-one game in the competition's 25-year history.
![The Brumbies say they'll embrace the heat and smoke on Friday. Picture: Sagi Biderman The Brumbies say they'll embrace the heat and smoke on Friday. Picture: Sagi Biderman](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc782gkzmd4epp6jwo6fr.jpg/r0_0_4599_3066_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The referee can also decide to have drinks breaks every 10 minutes if the heat is too dangerous for continued play.
Canberra's temperature is forecast to reach 41 degrees on Friday and there will be no reprieve for the 7.15pm kick-off, with the heat predicted to drop just two degrees before the game starts.
Smoke from the Orrarol Valley fire will add another layer of competition for officials, who will be closely monitoring player safety in the extreme conditions.
The match could be abandoned if air quality deteriorates, but Super Rugby has been secretive about a new set of guidelines it introduced this week to manage conditions.
Brumbies fans have become used to packing extra layers and making beanies essential as part of their game-day routine after sitting through some of the capital's coldest nights to watch rugby.
The heat presents a different challenge, but the Brumbies are hoping their supporters embrace a warm night in the stands as the club attempts to rebuild its supporter base.
"[The bushfires] probably give us a bit more motivation to get us across the line. Our commercial team are putting on some great kids and family activities on, we just hope we can bring the community together for round one.
"We haven't really spoken about [the smoke] ... I'm not too sure what's going to happen or the protocol. We just have to prepare the best we can and [someone else] will make the call [on conditions]."
The match could be cancelled if air quality is dangerous before kick-off or during the first half, which would result in a draw and the teams sharing the points.
If smoke rolls over Canberra Stadium in the second half, the leading team will be declared the winner.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE
Friday: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
Brumbies: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Murray Douglas, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Solomone Kata, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Harry Lloyd, 18. James Slipper, 19. Caderyn Neville, 20. Will Miller, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Bayley Kuenzle, 23. Andy Muirhead.
Reds: 1. JP Smith, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright (capt), 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Isaac Lucas, 11. Henry Speight, 12. James O'Connor, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Jock Campbell, 15. Bryce Hegarty. Reserves: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. Dane Zander, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Izack Rodda, 20. Seru Uru, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Hamish Stewart, 23. Hunter Paisami.