Super Rugby draw: Brumbies fixtures announced for new season

The Brumbies will start their season against the Melbourne Rebels on July 4, but they will have a bye in round two as part of the new five-team domestic competition.

The Super Rugby AU format will see each team play a home-and-away series against the four other rivals, with two byes after the Western Force were reintroduced.

All games will be at either 7.05pm or 7.15pm, with home games against the Reds on August 1, the Waratahs on August 22 and the Force on August 28.

"It was great news with the announcement of Super Rugby Australian competition," said Brumbies coach Dan McKellar.

"We're all really excited about the new competition and getting back to [Canberra Stadium] on July 4. Thanks for all of your patience and support over what has been a very tough period for not just us here at the Brumbies, but the ACT and Canberra. Hopefully we get to see you [at Canberra Stadium] at some point throughout the competition.

"We know regardless of whether you're watching at home on in the stands, you'll be there to support us all the way. We'll certainly uphold our end of the bargain and play some good rugby that you'll appreciate."

It is hoped the Brumbies will be able to have crowds in the stands at some point this season as coronavirus restrictions continually change.

But officials have to secure access to Canberra Stadium first, with the ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman to decide if she will reopen the venue earlier than planned.

The stadium was closed as part of the ACT non-essential business shutdown, and isn't scheduled to reopen its gates until July 7 - three days after the Brumbies-Rebels contest.

Coleman will also have to decide if she will approve attendances, with the Brumbies hopeful of being able to offer tickets to members and sponsors for the round-one clash.

The NRL and AFL will allow small crowds to attend games from this weekend, with numbers limited by the available corporate hospitality facilities.

There have been initial discussions about using the eastern grandstand for crowds in Canberra, but nothing has been confirmed. The NRL is keen to return to larger crowds by the start of July.

If fans can go, they will shiver through the coldest part of the year after starting the Super Rugby season in searing heat in the capital.

The ACT declared a state of emergency on the day of the Brumbies' first game of the year, with the temperature nudging 40 degrees at the 7.15pm kick-off time.

Fans and players are more likely be greeted by frost and fog when the season resumes next month, although the Brumbies could host a home grand final in spring if they finish at the top of the ladder.

The Super Rugby AU season will have a two-week finals series, with the top-placed team guaranteed a spot in the championship match on September 19.

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The second and third-placed teams will play-off in a qualifying final on September 12 for the right to earn a grand final spot.

SUPER RUGBY AU DRAW

July 4: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels, 7.15pm

July 18: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Sydney, 7.15pm

July 25: Western Force v ACT Brumbies at TBC

August 1: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm

August 7: Melbourne Rebels v ACT Brumbies at Melbourne, 7.05pm

August 22: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium, 7.05pm

August 28: ACT Brumbies v Western Force at Canberra Stadium, 7.05pm

September 5: Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies at Brisbane, 7.15pm

September 12: Qualifying final 2 v 3

September 19: Final 1 v winner of 2 v 3