ACT Brumbies and rival clubs prepare for Super Rugby Pacific fixture overhaul

The New Zealand government's border restrictions have thrown plans for the ACT Brumbies to open the season against Christian Leali'ifano and Moana Pasifika in Auckland on February 18 in disarray.

Now clubs are preparing for the likelihood of more domestic matches in the opening half of the competition before border restrictions ease to allow international travel without isolation.

Such an arrangement could mirror the format used in 2021, when each nation held its own domestic competition before clubs came together for a Trans-Tasman tournament.

"All teams have had to go back with revised block out dates with their venues. We're still waiting on a revised draw to come through, we're hoping to have one at some stage this week coming," Brumbies commercial general manager Gavin Hunt said.

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"There's no guarantee on that until one actually lands on our doorstep I guess. I know they're just working through the revisions with the New Zealand border restrictions with what can and can't occur.

"My understanding is it will still be the same home and away draw but just with different dates. We'll still play the same opponents at home that we were supposed to be playing.

"I would probably suggest we'd have more domestic games upfront and the trans-Tasman side of the matches a bit further down the track into the draw once they can move teams more freely across the border.

"That was one of the options that was being presented. There's also an option where the Super Round moves back potentially to ANZAC weekend and the Kiwi teams would start to filter over before that and play their Australian-based games and all go home afterwards.

"The Australian teams would ago across after April 30 [when international travellers are allowed into New Zealand without needing to isolate]. The Australian teams would start to filter over after that to start playing their New Zealand-based matches."

The Brumbies were initially slated to have home games against the NSW Waratahs, Wellington Hurricanes, Waikato Chiefs, Queensland Red, Western Force, Canterbury Crusaders and Auckland Blues.

Away games were scheduled against Moana Pasifika, Melbourne Rebels, Reds, Force, Fijian Drua, Otago Highlanders and the Chiefs.

A revamped fixture will torpedo a potential clash with the Canberra Raiders, who were slated to host an NRL game at Canberra Stadium on March 26 - the same day Super Rugby officials had pencilled in a game between the Brumbies and Chiefs.

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