The 2025 Super Rugby Women’s draw has been unveiled as the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies ramp up preparations for the coming season. Looking to improve on 2024’s semi-final exit, the Brumbies Women will face a new format as they look to bring the competitions’ silverware to the ACT for the first time.
The draw is highlighted by a home fixture against rivals NSW Waratahs and an away trip to Fiji. Additionally, there will be a blockbuster clash between the Super Rugby Women Champions and their Super Rugby Aupiki counterparts from New Zealand on 17th April to end the season.
New Brumbies Super Rugby Women’s head coach Andy Friend is a fan of the new season finale and is eager for the challenge in 2025 as he eyes off early success in the sides long-distance away trips.
“I think it (Super Rugby Women’s Championship Final) is a great new addition, everyone wants to pit themselves against the best,” said Friend.
“Both competitions are asking who's the best, so now we finally have a way to prove it.
“It’s exciting that we get the opportunity to further unite the team with away trips in Perth and Fiji early in the calendar. The fixtures will be a great test for our squad, all while they get a chance to bond through being on the road.”
The Brumbies will open their 2025 campaign with a clash against the Western Force in Perth. The fixture shapes as the club’s first trip to Western Australia since 2023, after hosting the Force at Viking Park this year.
The next competition fixture for the side will be in Round 3 as the Brumbies will be stamping their passports as they head to Fiji to face the Drua at Lautoka.
With five teams competing for the title, an additional side (Penina Pasifika) has been added to each round as a development fixture, which will not contribute to tournament points. The Brumbies will be taking on the Pacific’s development side in Round 2 at the University of Canberra.
With a key focus on continuing the Pacific’s development in the women’s game, Friend says the fixture will also be a positive for his side when they face off in Round 2.
“The important thing is that the girls need rugby, so whenever they get a chance to play competitively that is a great thing,” said Friend.
“Albeit not for points but it’s still a competitive match which is a positive for the team.”
Round 4 will offer the first points-bearing competition match in the ACT, as the Queensland Reds head south, meeting the Brumbies at Viking Park.
Round 5 has saved the Brumbies Women’s biggest test for their only fixture at GIO Stadium for the year. The reigning Super Rugby Women’s Champions, the NSW Waratahs, will be the final regular season opponents for the Brumbies with a fixture on 28th March. The match will act as a curtain-raiser for the men’s side, who take on the Highlanders in Round 7 of Super Rugby Pacific.
The dual blockbuster fixtures in the Capital provide an opportunity to finish the regular season with momentum, says Friend as he welcomes the Reds and Waratahs to the ACT in 2025.
“Having the last two matches at home where we get two of the traditional superpowers in our backyard is equally exciting. If we can secure a good couple of performances in the opening rounds, having the Reds and Waratahs at home will be a nice way to finish up our regular season,” he said.
Following the regular season, a two-week finals series will commence, with the top four teams playing in the semi-finals on 4th and 5th April before the finalists face off on 12th April in Sydney. The Australian Super Rugby Women’s Champions will then play the Super Rugby Aupiki Champions in New Zealand the following week.
Round 1
2.05pm Sat 1 Mar - Force v Brumbies - HBF Park, Perth*
Round 2
Development fixture - Brumbies v Penina Pasifika - University of Canberra
Round 3
3.35pm Sat 15 Mar - Drua v Brumbies - Churchill Park, Lautoka
Round 4
1.05pm Sat 22 Mar - Brumbies v Reds - Viking Park, Canberra
Round 5
5.05pm Fri 28 Mar - Brumbies v Waratahs - GIO Stadium, Canberra*
Semi-Finals
Fri 4 Apr - Sat 5 Apr
Grand Final
2.35pm Sat 12 Apr - North Sydney Oval, Sydney
2025 Women’s Super Rugby Champions Final
7.05pm Thurs 17 Apr - 2025 Super Rugby Women's Champion v 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki Champion - New Zealand
All times local and * denotes double-header with Super Rugby Pacific
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