Investec Super 14 Kick Off with Trans Tasman Clashes

NSW Waratahs scrumhalf Luke Burgess gets a pass away in the 2008 Investec Super 14 final in Christchurch.

The Investec Super 14 will open in February with the tournament’s first two matches pitting Australian teams against New Zealand rivals.

The 14^th edition of the Super Rugby competition kicks off on Friday, 13 February, with the Highlanders hosting the Brumbies in Dunedin.

Later the same night the Western Force – the only Australian team at home in week one – will take on the Blues in Perth.

Queensland Reds have their first two matches of the Investec Super 14 in South Africa, with the heavyweight Bulls in Pretoria set down as their first assignment.

NSW Waratahs begin their campaign in Wellington against the Hurricanes – both teams were semi-finalists last season.

The Waratahs then return home for three successive matches in Sydney against the Chiefs, the Highlanders and on 6 March an interstate showdown with the Reds.

The first of the all-Australian matches falls on 28 February when the Brumbies play host to the Western Force in Canberra.

A week earlier the Brumbies take on defending champions the Crusaders in Canberra.

The Crusaders open their title defence against the Chiefs in Christchurch on Saturday, 14 February.

The 94-match Investec Super 14 will move into its regular four-team semi-finals mode on the weekend of 22-23 May with the final to be played on Saturday, 30 May.

Investec Super 14 - 2009 Draw  

PREVIOUS SUPER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIPS