2020 Super Rugby AU season

The 2020 Super Rugby AU season (branded as Vodafone Super Rugby AU for sponsorship reasons) was a professional club rugby union tournament organised by Rugby Australia. Sponsored by communications company Vodafone, the tournament replaced the Australian component of the incomplete 2020 Super Rugby season that was shut down in March of that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It featured the four teams from the 2020 Australian conference, with the addition of former Super Rugby franchise the Western Force.[1]

2020 Super Rugby AU season
CountriesAustralia
Tournament format(s)Round-robin and knockout6
ChampionsBrumbies
Matches played22
Attendance65,104 (2,959 per match)
Tries scored125 (5.68 per match)
Top point scorer(s)James O'Connor, Reds (102)
Top try scorer(s)Filipo Daugunu, Reds (6)
Official websiteOfficial site
(Next) 2021

The tournament was the inaugural season of Super Rugby AU and ran from 3 July to 19 September 2020.[1]

Law adaptions

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On 12 June, Rugby Australia announced seven law trials designed to make the game more entertaining for the fans and players.[2] The trials were adapted from the 10 optional law trials available for unions and competitions given by World Rugby in May 2020.[3] The following trials will be used during the competition:

Law trials Scenario
Goal line drop-out When an attacking player carrying the ball is held up in the in-goal or knocks the ball on play restarts with a goal line drop-out.
When a kick enters the in-goal area and is forced by the defending team play restarts with a goal line drop-out
Mark A kick originating in the attacking 22m area cannot be marked by the defending team within their own 22m area. The kick can however be marked within the defending team's in-goal area and play restarts with a 22m line drop-out.
Red card change A red carded player can be replaced after 20 minutes, unless all substitutions have been used.
50/22 A kick taken from within the defending team's 50m area that travels into touch within the opposition's 22m area having first bounced in the field of play results in a line-out throw to the kicking team. This does not apply following a free-kick.
22/50 A kick taken from within the defending team's 22m area that travels into touch within the opposition's 50m area having first bounced in the field of play results in a line-out throw to the kicking team. This does not apply following a free-kick.
Super Time 2 x 5min periods of extra time; in the event of a drawn game after regulation time where the first points scored wins the match for the scoring team

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TF TA TB LB Pts
1 Brumbies (Q) 8 6 0 2 189 147 +42 30 16 4 0 28
2 Reds (Q) 8 5 1 2 215 150 +65 28 19 2 1 25
3 Rebels (Q) 8 4 1 3 194 178 +16 21 24 0 1 19
4 Waratahs 8 4 0 4 204 189 +15 22 23 1 2 19
5 Force 8 0 0 8 115 253 −138 15 33 0 3 3
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification:
  • 4 points to the winning team
  • 2 points to each team if neither team scores during extra time
  • 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less
  • 1 bonus point to any team scoring three tries or more than the opposition

Matches

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Round 1

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3 July 2020
19:05
Reds32–26Waratahs (1 BP)
Try: Wright 6'
Daugunu 18'
McDermott 29'
Wilson 64'
Con: Hegarty (3/4) 7', 30', 65'
Pen: O'Connor (2/2) 76', 80+1'
Cards: Tupou   67'
ReportTry: Johnson-Holmes 10'
Maddocks 48'
Con: Harrison (2/2) 11', 49'
Pen: Harrison (4/4) 34', 40', 43', 68'
Cards: Bell   29'
Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 5,590[4]
Referee: Nic Berry
4 July 2020
19:15
(1 BP) Brumbies31–23Rebels
Try: Muirhead 3'
Powell 27'
Fainga'a 37'
Wright 44'
Miller 77'
Con: Lolesio (3/5) 5', 39', 79'
ReportTry: Uelese 58'
D. Haylett-Petty 63'
Con: To'omua (2/2) 59', 65'
Pen: To'omua (3/4) 9', 24', 71'
GIO Stadium
Attendance: 1,460[5]
Referee: Angus Gardner

Round 2

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10 July 2020
19:05
Rebels18–18 (a.e.t.)Reds
Try: Hodge 54'
Meakes 68'
Con: To'omua (1/2) 69'
Pen: To'omua (2/2) 7', 40+2'
ReportTry: Daugunu 44'
Mafi 79'
Con: O'Connor (1/2) 80+1'
Pen: O'Connor (2/2) 51', 75'
Brookvale Oval1
Referee: Damon Murphy
11 July 2020
19:15
Waratahs23–14Force
Try: Bell 40'
Staniforth 62'
Con: Harrison (2/2) 40+2', 64'
Pen: Harrison (3/3) 46', 60', 74'
ReportTry: Ralston 29'
Pen: Prior (3/3) 14', 33', 37'
Sydney Cricket Ground
Attendance: 1,793[6]
Referee: Angus Gardner

Round 3

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17 July 2020
19:05
Reds31–24Force (1 BP)
Try: Paenga-Amosa 19'
Campbell 23'
Tupou 27'
Daugunu 45'
Con: O'Connor (4/4) 20', 24', 28', 46'
Drop: O'Connor 79'
Cards: Paisami   70'
ReportTry: McGregor 11'
Ralston (2) 14', 39'
Ready 70'
Con: Prior (2/2) 13', 15'
Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 6,890[7]
Referee: Nic Berry
18 July 2020
19:15
(1 BP) Waratahs23–24Brumbies
Try: Horton 24'
Ramm 29'
Con: Harrison (2/2) 25', 30'
Pen: Harrison (3/4) 10', 15', 50'
ReportTry: Cusack 5'
Fainga'a 34'
Valetini 37'
Fines 77'
Con: Kuenzle (2/3) 38', 79'
Cards: Muirhead   21'
ANZ Stadium
Attendance: 1,976[6]
Referee: Angus Gardner

Round 4

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24 July 2020
19:05
Waratahs10–29Rebels
Try: Newsome 7'
Con: Harrison (1/1) 9'
Pen: Harrison (1/1) 23'
Cards: Hooper   31'
Holloway   70'
ReportTry: Louwrens 38'
Koroibete 78'
Con: To'omua (2/2) 39', 78'
Pen: To'omua (5/5) 4', 11', 15', 31', 71'
Sydney Cricket Ground
Attendance: 1,620[6]
Referee: Angus Gardner
25 July 2020
19:15
Force0–24Brumbies (1 BP)
ReportTry: Wright 2'
Simone 6'
Miller 43'
McInerney 66'
Con: Kuenzle (2/4) 7', 45'
Leichhardt Oval2
Attendance: 253[6]
Referee: Damon Murphy

Round 5

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31 July 2020
19:05
(1 BP) Force20–25 (a.e.t.)Rebels
Try: Lee-Warner 27'
Ralston 57'
Con: Lance (2/2) 28', 58'
Pen: Lance (2/3) 12', 64'
Cards: Thrush   50'
ReportTry: Uelese 30'
Philip 60'
Naisarani 82'
Con: To'omua (2/2) 32', 61'
Pen: To'omua (1/1) 53'
Hodge (1/2) 40+4'
Cards: Naisarani   25'
Leichhardt Oval2
Attendance: 358[6]
Referee: Angus Gardner
1 August 2020
19:15
Brumbies22–20Reds (1 BP)
Try: Fainga'a (2) 6', 33'
McInerney 75'
Con: Kuenzle (2/2) 7', 35'
Pen: Hansen (1/1) 80+3'
ReportTry: Wilson 43'
Scott-Young 46'
Con: O'Connor (2/2) 44', 47'
Pen: O'Connor (2/3) 39', 50'
GIO Stadium
Attendance: 1,525[6]
Referee: Nic Berry

Round 6

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7 August 2020
19:05
Rebels30–12Brumbies
Try: Hodge (2) 3', 23'
Wilkin 16'
Uelese 38'
Con: To'omua (2/4) 17', 39'
Pen: To'omua (2/2) 32', 53'
ReportTry: Powell 18'
Miller 80'
Con: Kuenzle (1/1) 20'
Cards: Cusack   40+1'
Liechhardt Oval3
Attendance: Closed Event[6]
Referee: Graham Cooper
8 August 2020
19:15
(1 BP) Waratahs45–12Reds
Try: Gordon (3) 10', 17', 27'
Maddocks 24'
Newsome 35'
Horton 52'
Con: Harrison (5/5) 11', 18', 25', 29', 36'
Donaldson (1/1) 53'
Pen: Harrison (1/1) 5'
ReportTry: Hardy 54'
O'Connor 80+2'
Con: O'Connor (1/2) 80+3'
Cards: Zane Nonggorr   77'
Sydney Cricket Ground
Attendance: 1,770[6]
Referee: Damon Murphy

Round 7

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14 August 2020
19:05
Force8–28Waratahs
Try: Stander 15'
Pen: Prior 28'
ReportTry: Newsome 35'
Maddocks 45'
Johnson-Holmes 80'
Con: Harrison (2/2) 36', 46'
Pen: Harrison (3/3) 9', 20', 32'
Cbus Super Stadium4
Attendance: 569[6]
Referee: Nic Berry
15 August 2020
19:15
(1 BP) Reds19–3Rebels
Try: Petaia 14'
Paenga-Amosa 28'
Stewart 73'
Con: O'Connor (2/3) 15', 29'
Cards: Paenga-Amosa   70'
ReportPen: To'omua (1/1) 8'
Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 6,131[6]
Referee: Damon Murphy

Round 8

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21 August 2020
19:05
Force5–57Reds (1 BP)
Try: Ready 43'
Cards: Longbottom   53'
ReportTry: Daugunu (2) 16', 29'
McReight 55'
McDermott (2) 59', 64'
O'Connor 70'
Hegarty 73'
Tualima 80'
Con: O'Connor (7/8) 17', 57', 61', 65', 71', 74', 80'
Pen: O'Connor (1/1) 38'
Cbus Super Stadium4
Attendance: 1,575[6]
Referee: Jordan Way
22 August 2020
19:15
(1 BP) Brumbies38–11Waratahs
Try: R. Lonergan 15'
Muirhead 24'
Samu (2) 46', 73'
Wright (2) 53', 58'
Con: R. Lonergan (2/3) 16', 47'
Kuenzle (2/3) 54', 73'
ReportTry: Dempsey 37'
Pen: Harrison (2/2) 19', 29'
GIO Stadium
Attendance: 1,281[6]
Referee: Angus Gardner

Round 9

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28 August 2020
19:05
(1 BP) Brumbies31–14Force
Try: Wright 32'
Banks 39'
Miller 51'
Ikitau 65'
Muirhead 75'
Con: Kuenzle (3/5) 52', 66', 76'
ReportTry: Lee-Warner 9'
Lance 55'
Con: Prior (2/2) 11', 57'
GIO Stadium
Attendance: 2,209[6]
Referee: Amy Perrett
29 August 2020
19:15
(1 BP) Rebels32–38Waratahs
Try: To'omua 37'
Naisarani (2) 46', 72'
Koroibete 62'
Con: To'omua (3/4) 39', 47', 64'
Pen: To'omua (2/3) 3', 78'
Cards: Philip   65'
ReportTry: Gordon 7'
Dempsey 23'
Johnson-Holmes 49'
Walton 56'
Harrison 74'
Con: Harrison (5/5) 8', 23', 50', 57', 75'
Pen: Harrison (1/1) 40'
Cards: Hanigan   37'
Leichhardt Oval3
Attendance: 1,758[6]
Referee: Graham Cooper

Round 10 – Super Saturday

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5 September 2020
17:05
Rebels34–30Force (1 BP)
Try: Pincus 18'
Hodge 28'
D. Haylett-Petty 59'
Eloff 79'
Con: To'omua (4/4) 18', 30', 61', 80'
Pen: To'omua (2/2) 24', 26'
Cards: Pincus   56'
ReportTry: Taefu 20'
Ready (2) 40', 44'
Stander 58'
Con: Prior (2/4) 45', 59'
Pen: Prior (2/2) 9', 56'
Cards: Ralston   61'
Lee-Warner   75'
McDonald Jones Stadium5
Attendance: 817[6]
Referee: Angus Gardner
5 September 2020
19:15
Reds26–7Brumbies
Try: Wright 6'
Feauai-Sautia 36'
McDermott 76'
Con: O'Connor (1/2) 38'
Pen: O'Connor (3/3) 18', 31', 66'
ReportTry: Samu 40'
Con: Kuenzle (1/1) 40'
Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 9,922[8]
Referee: Nic Berry

Qualifying final

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12 September 2020
19:15
Reds25–13Rebels
Try: Petaia 9'
Salakaia-Loto 44'
Daugunu 75'
Con: O'Connor (2/3) 10', 46'
Pen: O'Connor (2/3) 25', 58'
ReportTry: Koroibete 40'
Con: To'omua (1/1) 40'
Pen: To'omua (1/1) 17'
Hodge (1/1) 54'
Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 11,607[6]
Referee: Nic Berry

Final

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19 September 2020
19:15
Brumbies28–23Reds
Try: Fainga'a 17'
Muirhead 26'
Banks 45'
Con: Lolesio (2/3) 18', 47'
Pen: Lolesio (2/3) 5', 55'
Drop: Lolesio 49'
Report
Summary
Try: Wilson 31'
Blyth 64'
Con: O'Connor (2/2) 32', 65'
Pen: O'Connor (3/3) 13', 40+2', 59'
Cards: Daugunu   50'
GIO Stadium
Attendance: 6,000[6]
Referee: Angus Gardner
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brumbies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reds
FB 15 Tom Banks
RW 14 Andy Muirhead   59'
OC 13 Tevita Kuridrani
IC 12 Irae Simone
LW 11 Tom Wright
FH 10 Noah Lolesio   79'
SH 9 Joe Powell   50'
N8 8 Pete Samu   79'
OF 7 Will Miller   73'   79'
BF 6 Lachlan McCaffrey   51'   65'
RL 5 Cadeyrn Neville
LL 4 Murray Douglas   73'
TP 3 Allan Alaalatoa
HK 2 Folau Fainga'a   59'
LP 1 Scott Sio   50'
Substitutes:
HK 16 Connal McInerney   59'
PR 17 James Slipper   50'
PR 18 Tom Ross
LK 19 Nick Frost   73'
BR 20 Rob Valetini   51'   65'   73'
SH 21 Nic White   50'
FH 22 Bayley Kuenzle   79'
WG 23 Solomone Kata   59'
Coach:
Dan McKellar
FB 15 Jock Campbell
RW 14 Jordan Petaia   40'
OC 13 Hunter Paisami
IC 12 Hamish Stewart
LW 11 Filipo Daugunu
FH 10 James O'Connor
SH 9 Tate McDermott   65'
N8 8 Harry Wilson
OF 7 Fraser McReight
BF 6 Liam Wright
RL 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto   44'
LL 4 Angus Blyth   79'
TP 3 Taniela Tupou
HK 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa
LP 1 JP Smith   51'
Substitutes:
HK 16 Josh Nasser
PR 17 Harry Hoopert   51'
PR 18 Ruan Smith
LK 19 Tuaina Taii Tualima   79'
FL 20 Angus Scott-Young   44'
SH 21 Moses Sorovi   65'
FH 22 Bryce Hegarty   40'
FB 23 Jack Hardy
Coach:
Brad Thorn

Man of the Match:
Noah Lolesio (Brumbies)[9]

Assistant referees:
Amy Perrett (Australia)
Reuben Keane (Australia)
Television match official:
James Leckie (Australia)

Squads

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Brumbies squad[10]
Forwards Allan AlaalatoaJahrome BrownTom CusackMurray DouglasFolau Fainga'aNick FrostBen HyneHarry LloydLachlan LonerganLachlan McCaffreyConnal McInerneyWill MillerCadeyrn NevilleTom RossPete SamuScott SioJames SlipperDarcy SwainRob ValetiniShambeckler Vui
Backs Tom BanksIssak FinesMack HansenLen IkitauSolomone KataBayley KuenzleTevita KuridraniNoah LolesioRyan LonerganAndy MuirheadReesjan PasitoaGuy PorterJoe PowellToni PuluIrae SimoneNic WhiteTom Wright
Coach Dan McKellar
Rebels squad[11]
Forwards Charlie AbelJermaine AinsleyAngus CottrellCabous EloffMees ErasmusPone Fa'amausiliMatt GibbonEsei Ha'anganaRichard HardwickRoss Haylett-PettyTrevor HoseaJosh KemenyBoyd KillingworthGideon KoegelenbergRob LeotaEfi Ma'afuDeclan MooreIsi NaisaraniCameron OrrMatt PhilipAnaru RangiJeral SkeltonMichael StolbergJordan UeleseMichael WellsBrad Wilkin
Backs Lachie AndersonAndrew DeeganTom EnglishDane Haylett-PettyReece HodgeLewis HollandAndrew KellawayMarika KoroibeteFrank LomaniRyan LouwrensCampbell MagnayBill MeakesTom PincusTheo StrangMatt To'omuaSemisi TupouJames Tuttle
Coach David Wessels
Reds squad[12]
Forwards Angus BlythSean FarrellDavid FeaoJethro FelemiFeao FotuaikaHarry HoopertTom KibbleAlex MafiFraser McReightJosh NasserZane NonggorrBrandon Paenga-AmosaLukhan Salakaia-LotoAngus Scott-YoungJP SmithRuan SmithRyan SmithJack StrakerTuaina Taii TualimaTaniela TupouSeru UruHarry WilsonMichael WoodLiam WrightDane Zander
Backs Jock CampbellFilipo DaugunuChris Feauai-SautiaJosh FlookCarter GordonJack HardyBryce HegartyScott MaloluaTate McDermottJames O'ConnorHunter PaisamiJordan PetaiaHenry SpeightMoses SoroviHamish Stewart
Coach Brad Thorn
Waratahs squad[13][14]
Forwards Robbie AbelAngus Bell • Darcy Breen • Joe CottonJack Dempsey • Max Douglas • Tetera FaulknerCharlie GambleNed HaniganWill HarrisJed HollowayMichael HooperTom HortonHarry Johnson-HolmesRyan McCauleyDave PoreckiTom RobertsonRob SimmonsHugh SinclairTom StaniforthLachlan SwintonPat TafaChris TalakaiTiaan TauakipuluCarlo TizzanoAndrew Tuala • Jeremy Williams
Backs Cam ClarkBen DonaldsonLalakai FoketiJake GordonWill HarrisonKarmichael HuntJack MaddocksNick MaloufMichael McDonaldTepai MoeroaMark NawaqanitawaseAlex NewsomeJames RammTriston Reilly • Henry Robertson • Mitch Short • Jack Walsh • Joey Walton
Coach Rob Penney
Force squad[15]
Forwards Ollie AtkinsJohan BardoulOllie CallanPekahou CowanTevin FerrisBen GrantDom Hardman • Victor Harris • Chris HeibergGreg HolmesFeleti Kaitu'uKane KotekaFergus Lee-WarnerKieran Longbottom • Jackson Pugh • Andrew ReadyTom SheminantBrynard StanderHenry StowersHeath TessmannJeremy ThrushAngus Wagner
Backs Jake AbelAJ AlatimuMarcel BrachePama FouNick FrisbyKyle GodwinNick JoosteRichard KahuiBrad LaceyJono LanceJordan LukeGrason MakaraJack McGregorRory O'SullivanJonah PlacidIan PriorByron RalstonJake StrachanHenry Taefu
Coach Tim Sampson

Notes

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  • ^1 Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the Rebels moved this home fixture from AAMI Park to Brookvale Oval, New South Wales, in order to respect the regulations imposed by the Queensland Government.[16]
  • ^2 Due to tight border restrictions, the Western Force moved their rounds 4 & 5 home matches from HBF Park to Leichhardt Oval, New South Wales.[17]
  • ^3 Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the Rebels moved their rounds 6 & 9 home fixtures from AAMI Park to Leichhardt Oval, New South Wales.[17][18]
  • ^4 Due to tight border restrictions, the Western Force moved their rounds 7 & 8 home matches from HBF Park to Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, Queensland.[19]
  • ^5 Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Victoria, the Rebels moved their round 10 home fixture from AAMI Park to McDonald Jones Stadium, New South Wales.[20]
  • ^6 Total attendance and average attendance figures include a match without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and a round 2 match in which an attendance figure was not reported.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Suncorp Stadium derby to open Super Rugby AU competition". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Super Rugby AU to introduce a host of law trials". Rugby Australia. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  3. ^ "World Rugby creates access to optional domestic law trials to further reduce COVID-19 risk". World Rugby. 28 May 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  4. ^ https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/super-rugby-reds-vs-waratahs-news-score-live-updates-teams-blog-how-to-watch-start-time/news-story/1082464781[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Super Rugby AU: Brumbies d Rebels". AU Stadiums. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Super Rugby Results & Crowds". AU Stadiums. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Queensland Reds remain unbeaten with 31-24 win over Force".
  8. ^ "| Latest Rugby News | QLD Reds Rugby".
  9. ^ Doran, Christy (20 September 2020). "Slick Lolesio leads Brumbies to historic Super Rugby AU title over injury-hit Queensland Reds". Archived from the original on 20 September 2020.
  10. ^ "Plus500 Brumbies Finalise 2020 Super Rugby Squad" (Press release). Brumbies. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  11. ^ "Melbourne Rebels unveil full 2020 playing squad" (Press release). Melbourne Rebels. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  12. ^ "St. George Queensland Reds confirm 2020 squad" (Press release). Queensland Reds. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  13. ^ "NSW Waratahs Squad". NSW Waratahs. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  14. ^ "NSW Waratahs add more names to their Elite Development Squad" (Press release). NSW Waratahs. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  15. ^ "Community colours". Western Force. 14 February 2020. Archived from the original on 6 March 2020.
  16. ^ "Super Rugby Returns to Brookvale Oval". Melbourne Rebels. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Rugby returns to Leichhardt Oval as Fox ratings plateau". Sydney Morning Herald. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  18. ^ "Rebels Confirm Waratahs Blockbuster for Leichhardt Oval". Melbourne Rebels. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  19. ^ "Western Force fixture update". Western Force. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  20. ^ "'Super Saturday' to complete Super Rugby AU regular season". Rugby.com.au. 19 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
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