Canberra Stadium is set for a Super Rugby AU trifecta after the ACT Brumbies came to the aid of the Melbourne Rebels and Rugby Australia to keep the season ticking.
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The Brumbies' round three away game against the Melbourne Rebels has been shifted to Canberra Stadium amid concern about border restrictions derailing the following round.
The Brumbies and Rebels were slated to play at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on March 6, with the Rebels scheduled to travel to Perth to face the Western Force on March 12.
But concerns about Western Australia shutting its borders to Victoria forced officials to revamp the fixture, and Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson says the club was happy to strike a deal.
The round three game moves to Canberra, while the Brumbies' return bout against the Rebels - which was originally set for Canberra Stadium - will be played in Melbourne from 2pm on Sunday, April 18.
MORE SUPER RUGBY
The move gives the Brumbies three consecutive home games in a run which kicks off against the NSW Waratahs on Saturday night - but the trade-off is three away games to round out their regular season campaign.
"When approached by the Rebels and Rugby Australia regarding the fixture swap, we were more than happy to agree in swapping our home and away matches to ensure the competition was not disrupted," Thomson said.
"From our point of view we now have three terrific home games in a row against the Waratahs this weekend, the Rebels the following week and then the [Queensland] Reds in round four, which is First Nations round.
"This is really exciting for our members, supporters and partners and I look forward to seeing everyone out at [Canberra] Stadium over the next three weeks."
The Rebels are based in Canberra having been forced out of Victoria to avoid a lockdown a week before the season kicked off, training at RMC Duntroon ahead of their season opener against the Reds this Friday.
Rebels boss Baden Stephenson admits the prospect of relocating to another state again presents a huge challenge.
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND TWO
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. Broadcast: Live on Gem and Stan Sport. Tickets from Ticketek.
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Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
