 Official Logo | |
| Sport | Rugby Union |
|---|---|
| First season | 2020 |
| Ceased | 2021 |
| No. of teams | 5 |
| Country | Australia |
| Last champion(s) | Reds (1st title) (2021 Super Rugby AU season) |
| Most titles | Brumbies & Reds (1 title) |
| TV partner(s) | Digicel ESPN ESPN International Nine Network Sky Sport Stan Sport SuperSport Telefónica Wowow |
| Sponsor(s) | Harvey Norman |
| Related competitions | Super Rugby Super Rugby Aotearoa Super Rugby Unlocked |
| Official website | SuperRugby.com |
Super Rugby AU, formerly named the Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU for sponsorship purposes,[1] was a rugby union competition organised by Rugby Australia. The competition was created to supplant the 2020 Super Rugby season, which had been suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to ongoing international travel restrictions relating to the pandemic, the competition was continued with a second season in 2021.[2] The competition features the four Australian Super Rugby teams from the Australian conference, with the addition of the Western Force, in a round-robin tournament over a 12-week period, made up of 10 rounds, a qualifying final and a final.
The competition was announced on 12 May,[3] with the first round commencing on 3 July, making it the third sport to return in Australia (behind AFL and NRL) and just the second rugby union competition to return. Initially, all games were played behind-closed-doors, with restrictions on crowds being eased over time.[4][5]
- ^ "Harvey Norman announced as Super Rugby AU naming rights partner for 2021". Rugby.com.au. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ "Revealed: Rugby Australia announce 2021 Super Rugby AU draw". www.rugby.com.au. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ "Suncorp Stadium derby to open Super Rugby AU competition". Rugby Australia. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "PM opens door for Super Rugby AU crowds". Rugby Australia. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
- ^ "Brumbies get crowd boost for Super AU decider". ESPN.com. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.