JOSEPH SUAALII DEBUTS AS A SUPERCHARGED SEASON OF SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC KICKS OFF ON STAN SPORT

February 12, 2025 - Super Rugby Pacific returns for a supercharged season this Friday night, with a must-see double act headlined by the club debut of NRL superstar Joseph Suaalii from 7:00pm AEDT. The revamped NSW Waratahs take on the Highlanders, ad-free, live and on demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport, while the match will also be available on 9GEM for the season opener, and each Saturday thereafter.

2025 is a huge year in the Australian rugby landscape, with not only the improved Aussie sides taking it to the Kiwis, but with the season also serving as a tryout for the the looming British & Irish Lions Tour. Beginning following the Super Rugby Pacific season in June, Australian coach Joe Schmidt will be keeping a close eye on the performances of the Aussie stars looking to make their case for a Wallabies berth.

Joining the coverage this year is Wallabies and NSW Waratahs legend Matt Burke, the most-capped fullback and the second-highest scorer in Wallabies history, having been part of their 1999 World Cup-winning squad, and the 2001 side which conquered the British & Irish Lions.

Also new to the team is Cameron Shepherd, a notable fullback and winger for both the Wallabies and Western Force, and Alicia Lucas (née Quirk), a gold medal-winning star of the women's rugby sevens side from the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Matt Burke said: "I couldn't be more excited to join the Stan Sport team for this Super Rugby season, set to be one of the biggest ever, and with the Aussie clubs having a real shot at taking out the title.

"It's been a long time since I've been able to share my experience and my opinion on the game, so I'm pumped to have the chance to be able to do so once again."

They join the best minds in the game, with coverage hosted by Michael Atkinson and Nick McArdle, and featuring Wallabies greats Tim Horan, Morgan Turinui, Justin Harrison, James Horwill, Mat Rogers and dual international star Allana Ferguson, with the famous voice of Sean Maloney calling every minute of the action of the Australian clubs games.

Stan Sport’s coverage of the matches on home soil will include more access than ever before with players and coaches mic’d up during warm ups, coach interviews live during matches and roaming reporters bringing viewers into the changing rooms post-game.

In addition to coverage of every match, Stan Sport's huge lineup of rugby programming is back with plenty of entertainment, and a new addition to keep fans engaged all week long.

Monday: Between Two Posts with Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui & Matt Burke and James Horwill.
​Tuesday: Between Two Posts Extra with the BTP crew and special guests.
​Wednesday: Inside Line *NEW with Michael Atkinson and Justin Harrison, joined by guests including rugby stars Tim Horan and Mat Rogers, and Sydney Morning Herald journalists Iain Payten and Tom Decent.
​Thursday: Rugby Heaven with Michael Atkinson, Tim Horan and Cameron Shepherd.
​Friday: The Call Up with Nick McArdle and various talent.

ROUND 1 FIXTURES

Crusaders v Hurricanes
​Friday 14 February
​Live & Exclusive on Stan Sport from 4:00PM AEDT

Waratahs v Highlanders
​Friday 14 February
​Live & Ad-free on Stan Sport from 7:00PM AEDT
​Live on 9GEM (NSW) FROM 7:00PM AEDT
​Live on 9GEM (VIC) FROM 7:00PM AEDT
​Live on 9GEM (QLD) FROM 6:00PM AEST
​Live on 9GEM (WA) FROM 4:00PM AWST
​Live on 9GEM (SA) FROM 6:30PM ACDT

Fijian Drua v Brumbies
​Saturday 15 February
​Live & Exclusive on Stan Sport from 2:00PM AEDT

Blues v Chiefs
​Saturday 15 February
​Live & Exclusive on Stan Sport from 4:30PM AEDT

Force v Moana Pasifika
​Saturday 15 February
​Live & Exclusive on Stan Sport from 7:00PM AEDT

Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match of the Super Rugby Pacific, British & Irish Lions Tour, Bledisloe Cup, Six Nations, World Rugby Sevens, The Rugby Championship, Shute Shield, Hospital Cup, Currie Cup, Premiership Rugby, and New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship, plus every match of Super Rugby Women's, Wallabies and Wallaroos test series' and more.

​For more information, please contact:

Jason Evans | Jason.Evans@stan.com.au

For all Stan Publicity assets, go to: www.stan.news