NRC 2018 Fixtures Confirmed

Historic rivalries return and exciting new rivalries will be created, as the fifth edition of the National Rugby Championship kicks off on September 1.

Australia’s best club Rugby players will join current Super Rugby contracted players and the next generation of Super Rugby and Wallabies stars to form Australia’s seven NRC sides, alongside fan favourites, Fiji Airways Drua in the eight-team competition.

The big change for 2018 comes in New South Wales, with the return of the traditional Sydney versus Country rivalry which is steeped in tradition and folklore in NSW Rugby.

The new-look Sydney side will run out in the traditional Sydney representative colours of blue and gold with the famous anchor logo reappearing on the jersey and will play their home games at Leichhardt Oval, Woollahra Oval and Concord Oval. 

The clash with their rivals, NSW Country is listed as an opening round fixture but will be played as a mid-week blockbuster on September 19 at Leichhardt Oval. 

NSW Country’s home matches will be played in Mudgee, Armidale and Camden this season as the NRC continues its push into regional areas. 

The Western Force will fly the flag for Western Australia, replacing the Perth Spirit after taking part in World Series Rugby in Perth throughout the year making UWA Sports Park their home in West Perth.  

Defending Champions Bond University Queensland Country will return to the scene of their epic 2017 triumph to take on the Canberra Vikings in a Grand Final replay in the opening round, and later in the season will host the competition’s first match in Townsville. 

Two-time NRC Champions Brisbane City will move matches around the iconic club grounds surrounding Ballymore with matches at Norths, Wests and Easts Rugby Clubs. 

Melbourne Rising, who visit the Drua in Nausori to officially kick off the season, will also share their home matches around the state with games in Geelong and Ballarat, as well as hosting their first interstate clash in Adelaide when they meet Brisbane City on September 22. 

A four-team Finals Series will kick off on October 20, with the 2018 Grand Final to be played on Saturday, October 27.


2018 National Rugby Championship Draw

Round one 
Saturday 1 September 
Fiji Drua v Melbourne Rising, Nausori, Ratu Cakobau Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Canberra Vikings v Queensland Country, Canberra, Viking Park, 5.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Sunday 2 September
Brisbane City v Western Force, Brisbane, Norths Rugby Club, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS  
Wednesday 19 September* 
Sydney v NSW Country, Sydney, Leichhardt Oval, 7.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 

Round two 
Saturday 8 September
Fiji Drua v Brisbane City, Lautoka, Churchill Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Sydney v Canberra Vikings, Sydney, Concord Oval, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Sunday 9 September
Queensland Country v Melbourne Rising, Townsville, Mike Carney Park, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Western Force v NSW Country Eagles, Perth, UWA Sports Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS

Round three 
Saturday 15 September 
Sydney v Brisbane City, Sydney, Woollahra Oval, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
NSW Country v Melbourne Rising, Mudgee, Glen Willow Sports Stadium, 1.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Queensland Country v Fiji Drua, Mackay, BB Print Stadium, 1.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS  
Sunday 16 September 
Canberra Vikings v Western Force, Canberra, Viking Park, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS   

Round four 
Saturday 22 September 
Melbourne Rising v Brisbane City, Adelaide, Bailey Reserve, 12.30pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS  
Queensland Country v Western Force, Gold Coast, Bond University, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS    
Sunday 23 September 
NSW Country Eagles v Canberra Vikings, Armidale, UNE Bellevue Oval, 1.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS    
Sydney v Fiji Drua, Sydney, Concord Oval, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS    

Round five 
Saturday 29 September
Fiji Drua v NSW Country Eagles, Nausori, Ratu Cakobau Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS    
Canberra Vikings v Melbourne Rising, Canberra, Viking Park, 7.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS   
Sunday 30 September 
Brisbane City v Queensland Country, Toowong, Wests Rugby Club, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Western Force v Sydney, Perth, UWA Sports Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS    

Round six 
Saturday 6 October 
Fiji Drua v Canberra Vikings, Lautoka, Churchill, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Queensland Country v Sydney, Gold Coast, Bond University, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Sunday 7 October 
NSW Country Eagles v Brisbane City, Camden, Camden Rugby Park, 3.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Melbourne Rising v Western Force, Geelong, GMHBA Stadium, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 

Round seven 
Saturday 13 October 
NSW Country v Queensland Country, Tamworth, Scully Park, 3.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Western Force v Fiji Drua, Perth, UWA Sports Park, 2.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Sunday 14 October
Melbourne Rising v Sydney, Ballarat, St Patrick’s School, 1.00pm, streamed LIVE on FOX SPORTS 
Brisbane City v Canberra Vikings, Coorparoo, Easts Rugby Club, 2.00pm, LIVE on FOX SPORTS 

Semi Finals 
Saturday 20 October 
1st v 4th
Sunday 21 October
2nd v 3rd 

The Final will be played on Saturday 27 October.   

All times are local.