Draw announced for 2022 Super Rugby Pacific
The Gallagher Chiefs fixtures for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific competition have been confirmed. The competition will include a Super Round Melbourne in Round 2 that will see all 12 teams gather at AAMI Park in Melbourne for three straight days of double-headers (25 – 27 February), and an eight-team play-off series which will kick-off in the first week of June.
The Gallagher Chiefs will play a total of 14 matches during the regular season, 11 round-robin fixtures plus the introduction of three additional rivalry matches which will see them play a home and away series against three teams.
The Gallagher Chiefs will open their season on the road against the Reds in Brisbane, followed by the Super Round Melbourne.
FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton will host all 7 home games, where Gallagher Chiefs fans will be initially treated to the flair and excitement of the newly formed Moana Pasifika, in the side’s opening home game on Friday 4 March. New Zealand derbies against the Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders will feature on the home draw calendar along with matches against Australian rivals the Force, Waratahs and Brumbies. 2022 Chiefs Memberships have been on sale since October 28 and the club already have over 1,500 members sign on pre the draw being announced.
Super Rugby Pacific will also embrace various themed rounds including a Cultural Round in Round 6, and a Heritage Round in Round 12.
Gallagher Chiefs Head Coach Clayton McMillan is excited for Super Rugby Pacific to kick-off.
“We are looking forward to Super Rugby Pacific and in particular the inclusion of Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua. Both teams look to have recruited quality sides and we know they will bring a lot of physicality, flair and passion to their performances.”
“Equally, we cannot wait to get back in front of our incredibly loyal members, fans and whānau here at FMG Stadium Waikato. It is a special feeling playing back at home and we are grateful for the support we receive,” said McMillan.
Chiefs Rugby Club CEO Michael Collins is looking forward to fans returning to FMG Stadium Waikato to support the Gallagher Chiefs next year.
“We can’t wait for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific competition to get underway. The Gallagher Chiefs have an exciting home draw which we are sure our fans will enjoy. We know our members, sponsors and fans are eager to return to FMG Stadium Waikato next year, and we are looking forward to having them there to cheer on our Gallagher Chiefs and experience the unique atmosphere. We are fortunate to have such passionate supporters of our team and their loyalty is felt far and wide.”
The Chiefs Rugby Club recently announced their 2022 membership programme, which includes Bartercard, the official membership partner, offering the first 2000 adult members to sign on 50% of their membership price paid back in free restaurant vouchers. Members can use these at several restaurants around the Chiefs region and enjoy local hospitality either before a Gallagher Chiefs home game or outside of gamedays.
The new Bartercard restaurant vouchers are just one of a long list of benefits offered exclusively to members. Members will gain access to all Gallagher Chiefs home games, which includes two free matches if purchased prior to Friday 14 January. With the introduction of Super Rugby Aupiki, members will now be connected to both men’s and women’s Chiefs teams with members receiving access to the first ever Chiefs Women home fixture.
Chiefs memberships are now on sale until the Gallagher Chiefs first 2022 home match against Moana Pasifika on Friday 4 March at FMG Stadium Waikato.
Seated Chiefs Memberships start from $110 for adults and $45 for kids. Kids can score a free membership in select zones with an adult membership. Credit card fees apply.
The 2022 Gallagher Chiefs squad will be announced on Monday 22 November.
2022 Gallagher Chiefs Super Rugby Pacific Draw:
(Bold indicates home games)
Round 1: Saturday 19 February: Reds vs. Gallagher Chiefs, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 6.45pm (AUST), 9.45pm (NZT)
Round 2: Super Round Melbourne: Friday 25 February: Hurricanes vs. Gallagher Chiefs, AAMI Park, Melbourne, 6.00pm (AUST), 8.00pm (NZT)
Round 3: Friday 4 March: Gallagher Chiefs vs. Moana Pasifika, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 7.05pm (NZT)
Round 4: Friday 11 March: Gallagher Chiefs vs. Force, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 7.05pm (NZT), 2.05pm (AUST)
Round 5: Saturday 19 March: Fiji Drua vs. Gallagher Chiefs, TBC, 7.05pm (NZT)
Round 6: TBC: Brumbies vs. Gallagher Chiefs, GIO Stadium, Canberra, TBC
Round 7: Friday 1 April: Gallagher Chiefs vs. Crusaders, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 7.05pm (NZT)
Round 8: Saturday 9 April: Gallagher Chiefs vs. Blues, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 7.05pm (NZT)
Round 9: Gallagher Chiefs – Bye
Round 10 (ANZAC Round) Saturday 23 April: Rebels vs. Gallagher Chiefs, AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7.45pm (AUST), 9.45pm (NZT)
Round 11: Saturday 30 April: Gallagher Chiefs vs. Waratahs, FMG Stadium Waikato, 4.35pm (NZT), 2.35pm (AUST)
Round 12: Saturday 7 May: Blues vs. Gallagher Chiefs, Eden Park, Auckland, 7.05pm (NZT)
Round 13: Saturday 14 May: Gallagher Chiefs vs. Brumbies, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 4.35pm (NZT), 2.35pm (AUST)
Round 14: Saturday 21 May: Gallagher Chiefs vs. Highlanders, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 7.05pm (NZT)
Round 15: Saturday 28 May: Crusaders vs. Gallagher Chiefs, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch, 7.05pm (NZT)
Super Rugby Pacific at a glance
Format:
12 teams: Moana Pasifika, Fijian Drua, Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders, Highlanders, Waratahs, Reds, Force, Brumbies, Rebels
14 regular season matches = 11 round-robin matches + 3 rivalry matches
One bye round per team (all byes in Rounds 7,8 & 9)
Playoffs:
8-team playoffs format - QFs: June 3-5; SFs: 10-11 June; Final 18 June.
Total Matches: 92
Season Length: 18 weeks = 15-week regular season + three-week playoff series
Opening match: Friday 18 February: Moana Pasifika v Brumbies @ Mt Smart Stadium.
Super Round Melbourne: Round 2, Friday-Sunday 25-27 February @ AAMI Park Melbourne Park.
Moana Pasifika v Waratahs; Blues v Highlanders; Chiefs v Hurricanes; Crusaders v Reds; Rebels v Brumbies; Fijian Drua v Force.
Gallagher Chiefs home and away rivalry matches:
Blues (H) Rd 8; (A) Rd 12
Crusaders (H) Rd 7; (A) Rd 15
Brumbies (H) Rd 13; (A) Rd 6