The 2021 Super Rugby Pacific schedule should bring a smile to the faces of traditionalists across Auckland, with the return of the beloved afternoon fixtures.
Re-introduced during Super Rugby Aotearoa, the mid-afternoon kickoff times provided some of the best spectacles of those seasons and will now be used for the first time in a fully fledged Super Rugby competition.
Another feature of the schedule is a 'Super Round' to be played in Melbourne in week two, when all 12 teams will gather at AAMI Park for three straight days of doubleheaders from February 25 to 27.
Each team will play 14 matches during the regular season - 11 round-robin fixtures, plus the introduction of three additional rivalry matches that will see each team play a home-and-away series against three other teams.
In Auckland, Blues fans will welcome their side back to the field on Saturday, February 19, when they host Fijian Drua in the expansion team's competition debut.
The Blues' first three home games are scheduled for Saturday afternoons, with the final four shifting to the normal 7pm slot to accommodate the beginning of club rugby.
Moana Pasifika will make their highly anticipated debut as the opening act of Super Rugby Pacific, hosting the Brumbies at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday, February 18.
That round also includes a southern derby between the Crusaders and the Highlanders at Christchurch.
The Hurricanes will kick off their year against the Waratahs in Sydney, while the Chiefs take on the Reds in Brisbane.
Blues chief executive Andrew Hore believes playing in the world's largest Polynesian city is the ideal way to introduce the Drua - who will play their home games in Australia - to Super Rugby and expects a bumper turnout.
"Having Fijian Drua here in Auckland in round one is so exciting, because ultimately, there's a big Fijian diaspora sitting right here in our region," Hore tells Newshub.
"In Northland right through to South Auckland, they'll turn up and they'll be excited. If you look at the crowds they get for the sevens, you just have to wait until the Fijians arrive and then you get crowds."
Hore also dismisses the notion the Blues' All Blacks contingent will be unavailable for the opening rounds of the competition.
Some players may take extra time for rest and recuperation, after their arduous 12-week tour to Australia and Europe, but Hore is confident the team will be at its strongest come opening day on February 19.
"They will be available from round one, which is great," he insists. "We have to manage those players and that's important, but as it stands, they're good to go."
Super Rugby Pacific will also embrace diversity, with the introduction of a 'Women in Rugby' round, a 'Culture Round', an Anzac Day round and a 'Heritage Round'.
The five NZ Super Rugby sides and Moana Pasifika will confirm their 38-man squads on November 22.
"We have two new clubs who are building competitive squads right now and 10 other clubs who are excited by a fresh challenge," says NZ Rugby professional manager Chris Lendrum.
"I think the inaugural season of Super Rugby Pacific will be a true celebration for rugby in the Pacific and will showcase the immense playing and coaching talent in the region. We can’t wait to get started next February."
