The nomadic NSW Waratahs will play their eight 2020 Super Rugby home games across four cities and six venues, with a first competition match to be played in a country region.
The Tahs won’t play in Sydney until round five and only one of their first eight games will be in the Harbour City, as they spend a second season waiting for their Moore Park base to be rebuilt.
NSW hosted Super games at four stadia this year but played just one home match outside Sydney at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium.
The confirmed list of 2020 venues issued on Friday includes round eight’s March 21 fixture against the Bulls at Scully Park in Tamworth in the northeast of NSW.
The Waratahs will also take a first Super fixture to Wollongong, their round six clash with the Chiefs at WIN Stadium on March 6.
Their last four home games will be in Sydney but spread across three venues.
The only ground to host more than one Tahs game will be western Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium (3) with the SCG and Brookvale Oval having one each.
NSWRU acting CEO, Philip Van Schalkwyk says the current displacement presents a clear opportunity to engage with fans across NSW.
“To be playing in regional, country and a range of metropolitan locations in 2020 is a great result,” he said.
“We’re extremely excited about the completion of the new SFS and would again like to thank the SCG for their support during this process.”
HIT THE ROAD TAHS – WHERE NSW WILL PLAY THEIR 2020 SUPER RUGBY HOME GAMES
Round 2 – Feb 8 Blues, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Round 5 – Feb 28 Lions, Bankwest Stadium
Round 6 – Mar 6 Chiefs, WIN Stadium, Wollongogng
Round 8 – Mar 21 Bulls, Scully Park, Tamworth
Round 9 – Mar 28 Sunwolves, SCG
Round 12 – Apr 18 Reds, Bankwest Stadium
Round 14 – May 2 Rebels, Brookvale Oval
Round 17 – May 23 Brumbies, Bankwest Stadium.