This week will see the 2024 professional rugby season start to ramp up, as Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific sides and Super W teams begin final preparations for their respective campaigns.

Over the next few weeks, sides will host multiple trials in preparation for their respective round-one kick-offs, with teams looking to brush off the cobwebs of the silly season and establish or build combinations to hit the ground running.

So, wait, who is playing who again in these trials? And where? Fear not. Head below to see what fixtures await in the Australian Super Rugby and Super W pre-season:

NOTE: some sections will be incomplete and subject to change as more details become available.

Melbourne Rebels

The trials season officially gets underway this Friday, down in Melbourne. The Rebels men’s side will host two trials as Kevin Foote officially welcomes nine new faces to the Stockade for their first clash since their Japan exhibition match against the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in October last year.

Kicking off at Moorabbin Rugby Rugby, the Rebels will host the Waratahs on Friday, February 2nd, which could be the first time fans will be able to glimpse Taniela Tupou in Melbourne colours.

Two weeks later and one week out from their opening round against the Brumbies at AAMI Park, the Rebels will welcome a fast-improving Fijian Drua side to Gosch’s Paddock.

Men’s fixtures

Melbourne Rebels vs. NSW Waratahs – Moorabbin Rugby Club @7pm AEDT, 2nd February 2024Melbourne Rebels vs. Fijian Drua – Gosch’s Paddock @4:30pm AEDT, 16th February 2024

The Melbourne Rebels Women’s side has one trial currently planned ahead of their opening round clash on March 15th against the Western Force in Perth, where they will welcome the Queensland Reds to Geelong as preparation for their season grows. 

Women’s fixtures

Melbourne Rebels vs. Queensland Reds – TBC, Geelong @5pm AEDT, 9th March 2024

Queensland Reds

While the Reds women will be heading on the road, the men will host two trials in back-to-back weeks ahead of their round one clash against the Waratahs. 

Les Kiss will be determined to build on last November’s victory at Ballymore against the Panasonic Wild Knights and ensure he hits the ground running in his new tenure, coming up against an unpredictable Western Force side.

Following this, the Reds will welcome the Waratahs to Roma for a special fan event held across two days, the Santos Festival of Rugby. This festival will see both the men’s and women’s square off for pre-season bragging rights, the Santos Cup. The event will include junior rugby clinics, fan events, and musical performances from DJ Jonny Mac and Hot Dub Time Machine.

Men’s fixtures:

Queensland Reds vs. Western Force – Ballymore @3pm AEST, 3rd February 2024Queensland Reds vs NSW Waratahs – Gallas Fox Park, Roma @7:40pm AEST, 10th February 2024 

The Women’s side have locked themselves in for three trials as they look to put past disappointments behind them and claim their maiden Super W title. In addition to their clash against the Waratahs in Roma and the Rebels in Geelong, they will also take on the Penina Pearls, and Oceania representative side in Ballymore in late February

Women’s fixtures

Queensland Reds vs. NSW Waratahs – Gallas Fox Park, Roma @5pm AEST, 10th February 2024 Queensland Reds vs. Penina Pearls – Ballymore, Time TBC, 24th February 2024Melbourne Rebels vs. Queensland Reds – TBC, Geelong @5pm AEDT, 9th March 2024

NSW Waratahs

After a relatively quiet pre-season which saw their team play one session against a NSW Pasifika side, the Tahs are set to have a busy pre-season, kicking off with their clash against the Rebels in Moorabbin this Friday.

After travelling to Roma, the main squad will remain in Queensland ahead of their round one clash, while an extended ‘A’ squad will return to Sydney for a joint clash with the Warringah Rats and Manly Marlins at Rat Park. 

The Tahs will also have a U/18s Academy clash at Concord Oval on March 2nd, playing against the Queensland Reds Academy. 

Men’s fixtures:

Melbourne Rebels vs. NSW Waratahs – Moorabbin Rugby Club @7pm AEDT, 2nd February 2024Queensland Reds vs NSW Waratahs – Gallas Fox Park, Roma @7:40pm AEST, 10th February 2024 NSW Waratahs ‘A’ vs Warringah Rats & Manly Marlins – Rat Park, Warriewood @6:30pm AEDT, 17th February 2024

The Waratahs Women’s side will be having an extremely busy pre-season, with four trials currently in the mix. Following their trip to Roma for the Festival of Rugby, the Tahs will host the Brumbies, the Tokyo Phoenix representative side, and finish with a clash on the Gold Coast between an Oceania representative side. 

Women’s fixtures: 

Queensland Reds vs. NSW Waratahs – Gallas Fox Park, Roma @5pm AEST, 10th February 2024 NSW Waratahs vs. ACT Brumbies – Harlequins, Campbelltown Showground @4:45pm AEDT, 24th February 2024NSW Waratahs vs. Tokyo Phoenix – Concord Oval @4:50pm AEDT, 2nd March 2024NSW Waratahs vs. Oceania Rugby – TBC, Gold Coast, 9th March 2024

ACT Brumbies

The Brumbies will travel across Australia for their pre-season, kicking off at Canberra’s spiritual home of club rugby at Viking Park for a doubleheader clash involving both their men’s and women’s sides, with the men taking on the Fijian Drua.

Following this, Stephen Larkham’s men will make the journey west to take on the unpredictable enemy that is the Western Force. 

Men’s fixtures

ACT Brumbies vs Fijian Drua – Viking Park @6pm AEDT, 3rd February 2024Western Force v ACT Brumbies – Revo Fitness Stadium @5pm WST, 10th February 2024

The Brumbies Women meanwhile will enjoy three trials ahead of a tough first-round clash against the Waratahs, playing Hong Kong China at home as part of the doubleheader, before hopping on the road to play the Tahs in Campbelltown and a Pasifikia XV side on the Gold Coast.

Women’s fixtures

ACT Brumbies vs. Hong Kong China – Viking Park @4pm AEDT, 3rd February 2024NSW Waratahs vs. ACT Brumbies – Harlequins, Campbelltown Showground @4:45pm AEDT, 24th February 2024ACT Brumbies vs Pasifika XV – Bond University, Gold Coast @6pm – 2 March 2024

Western Force

Finally, the Force will also be making a trek across the Nullarbor, kicking off their pre-season at Ballymore against the Queensland Reds, before returning to Revo Fitness Stadium in Claremont to face the Brumbies as part of a Western Force fan day, ahead of their round one home clash against the Hurricanes.

Men’s fixtures

Queensland Reds vs. Western Force – Ballymore @3pm AEST, 3rd February 2024Western Force v ACT Brumbies – Revo Fitness Stadium @5pm WST, 10th February 2024

The Women’s side will be welcoming a plethora of international stars but will be staying in Perth for their pre-season ahead of their home clash against the Rebels. They will welcome the Tokyo Phoenix for two fixtures in Perth as part of their new agreement. 

Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix – HBF Park, @4.30pm WST, 23rd February 2024Western Force v Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix – TBC, Perth,  27th February 2024