Melbourne Rebels will host Blues in next season’s Super Rugby opener
THE Melbourne Rebels will host next season’s Super Rugby opener — a Thursday night clash with the Auckland Blues at AAMI Park.
But from there Tony McGahan’s men will need to be on top of their game in a horror start that includes matches against New Zealand’s three 2016 semi-finalists and a derby clash with the NSW Waratahs.
The season, the second consisting of 18 teams and four conferences, starts on February 23 and ends with the final on Saturday, August 5.
SEE THE REBELS’ FULL DRAW BELOW
The Rebels, who will attempt to make the playoffs for the first time in seven attempts, have byes in Round 3 and Round 7, while a mid-season break again takes out most of June to accommodate international matches.
FULL DRAW: Every Australian team’s 2017 Super Rugby road
Argentina’s Jaguares will also face the Rebels for the first time when they meet at AAMI Park on Friday, July 17.
AAMI Park is home to eight of Melbourne’s 15 games, with one on Thursday night, three on Friday nights, one on Saturday afternoon and three on Saturday nights.
Rebels coach Tony McGahan acknowledged that his side will endure a tough start to its campaign, but said he was far from daunted by the challenge.
“We’ve won the first game in the past three years in a row,” McGahan said.
“It’s really exciting for us to get a Thursday night game against Auckland Blues, who had a fantastic season under Tana (Umaga) in his first year coaching, a lot of consistency and played some great Rugby throughout the year, especially at the back end.
“So to open Super Rugby on a Thursday night is really exciting and then straight into the champion Hurricanes (in Wellington) which is a really tough start to the season, but one you look forward to and one we’re going to be really keen to double up (with two wins) there.”
MELBOURNE REBELS 2017 FIXTURE
R1 v Blues, Thurs Feb. 23, AAMI, 7.45pm
R2 v Hurricanes, Sat Mar 4, Wellington, 3.15pm
R3 bye
R4 v Chiefs, Fri. Mar 17, AAMI, 7.45pm
R5 v Waratahs, Fri. Mar 24, AAMI, 7.45pm
R6 v Highlanders, Fri. Mar 31, 5.35pm
R7 bye
R8 v Brumbies, Sat Apr. 15, AAMI, 7.45pm
R9 v Sharks, Sun Apr. 23, Durban, 3.30am
R10 v Kings, Sun Apr. 30, Port Elizabeth, 3.30am
R11 v Lions, Sat May 6, AAMI, 3pm
R12 v Reds, Sat May 13, AAMI, 7.45pm
R13 v Waratahs, Sun May 21, Sydney, 4.05pm
R14 v Crusaders, Sat May 27, AAMI, 7.45pm
R15 v Brumbies, Sat Jun. 3, Canberra, 7.45pm
R16 v Force, Fri. Jul. 7, Perth, 7.55pm
R17 v Jaguares, Fri. Jul. 14, AAMI, 7.45pm