ACT Brumbies hooker Folau Fainga'a says the players are ready to restart their season after Rugby Australia and Fox Sports agreed to relaunch Super Rugby on the first weekend in July.
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Australian rugby players have been forced to wait patiently while their New Zealand counterparts and cross-code rivals in the NRL and AFL plan to start playing games again.
The Brumbies will play the Melbourne Rebels in Canberra on July 4, while the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds will open the season on July 3. All teams will start on zero points, with the rest of the draw for the 12-week competition to be finalised on Thursday.
Stand-in Rugby Australia boss Rob Clarke said: "We will continue to work closely with Fox Sports 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 over the coming weeks.
"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.
"Fans can also expect to see something different during the new season, as we use the opportunity to innovate and push the boundaries and we look forward to showcasing a new brand of rugby throughout this 12-week competition."
Fainga'a hasn't played a game since February 15 after being forced to the sideline with a toe injury and then watching as the Super Rugby season was shutdown by coronavirus.
But the 12-Test Wallabies hooker is back in full training and itching for a chance to get on the field again.
"The boys are just ready for whatever. We're taking it day by day, ripping and tearing into training and when that date is confirmed ... we'll be ready to rock and roll," Fainga'a said.
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"[July 3] has been thrown around a few times. We're working towards that date and whenever that game is scheduled in. We're excited for what's to come."
The Brumbies restarted full-team training last week after being granted approval by the ACT government to resume at their University of Canberra headquarters.
Players are having their health monitored before and after training and there are restrictions on who can enter the club's training facility.
Rugby Australia has been working on schedule of games from the start of July through to September 19 for the new competition, with the Western Force being reintroduced to play alongside the Brumbies, Rebels, NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds.
The Brumbies hope to play home games in Canberra, despite the NRL denying the Raiders the same right when it restarted its season two weeks ago.
The Raiders are playing "home" games at Campbelltown, largely believed to be because broadcasters baulked at the cost of setting up one-off games in the capital.
But Rugby Australia has been planning for the Brumbies to be based at home, with work also underway to allow crowds to attend the first game at Canberra Stadium.
The ACT government-run stadium is technically closed until July 9 under current COVID-19 restrictions. But that could change pending applications from the Brumbies, with initial plans to give fans access to the eastern grandstand as a "dirty zone".
New Zealand's Super Rugby competition has been overwhelmed with support after it was announced this week crowds will be able to attend games without limit restrictions.
It's likely attendance numbers in Canberra will be limited for the foreseeable future, but opening the gates to loyal members and sponsors could be a perfect boost for the Brumbies.
Time away from the game has also worked in the Brumbies' favour, even though their winning momentum was halted after losing just once in the first six rounds of the competition.
Fainga'a (toe), Scott Sio (hand) and Allan Alaalatoa (arm) have all recovered from injuries, which would have usually seen them miss large chunks of the season.
"I had a tear in my foot and it ruled me out for a couple of weeks. It was something that was really a bump on the road for me, but I'm back into full training now and it hasn't been hurting since," Fainga'a said.
"I'm excited to put my name up for selection whenever that is. It's exciting for everyone, good to see some sort of rugby being played again and the Kiwi sides are kicking off this weekend, so that will be good to see how they go.
"It would be pretty cool to have our fans and families out there watching us. That's something the guys are trying to sort out, for us it's just about preparing for whatever is to come to be ready for round one."
Fainga'a was included in a players of national interest squad selected by new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie. Rennie, who will arrive in Australia soon, has been speaking with Test hopefuls about what they need to do to earn Wallabies selection this year.
"There's always some stuff to work on from me. [Rennie] has given me some fitness stuff to work on, some set piece stuff ... it's pretty exciting times for us to work with someone new again and to get under his coaching," Fainga'a said.
Fainga'a signed a contract extension until the end of 2022 and said he was committed to the deal despite rugby's long-term viability concerns in Australia.
"My mind is just here and living in the moment. That stuff will take care of itself," Fainga'a said.
"My heart is here in Canberra and I'm just ready to rock and roll for whatever the Brumbies and Rugby Australia have."
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND ONE
July 3: Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs at Brisbane, 7.05pm.
July 4: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
Western Force: Bye