The Queensland Reds will renew acquaintances with the Blues at Suncorp Stadium on ANZAC Day next season, in a real highlight of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific draw which was released today.
2025 Queensland Reds Memberships will go on sale to the public tomorrow.
It follows on from a remarkable clash between the two teams during ANZAC Weekend Round this year which saw the Reds pipped at the post by the team who would ultimately go on to win the competition.
The match-up also saw rising Reds star Tim Ryan truly announce himself on the SRP stage, scoring a memorable hat-trick as the Reds wore an exceptionally crafted limited edition ANZAC Round jersey designed by Canterbury. In 2025, the Reds will again wear that special jersey.
The Reds will host seven home matches at Suncorp Stadium during the regular season, before also hosting the British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 2.
In 2025, the Reds will play four Saturday night home matches and three Friday night home matches, including the ANZAC Day match.
The Reds’ historic UK & Ireland tour, which sees games against Bristol (January 31) and Ulster (February 7), is followed by a Round One bye before hosting Moana Pasifika on Friday, February 21 to begin the campaign. The second bye for the season will fall on Easter Weekend (Round 10).
With the Reds aiming to improve on a promising fifth place finish, and with a new six-team finals structure in place, other highlights of the draw include a home game against arch-rivals NSW Waratahs in Kids Round (Round Five).
Suncorp Stadium will also see the return of the Hurricanes to Brisbane for the first time since 2017 alongside an Indigenous Round match during Reconciliation Week against the Fijian Drua. These consecutive home games finish the regular season.
The Brumbies and Western Force also visit Brisbane.
The Reds will look for the chance to go back-to-back in Christchurch in Round Four following an historic first away win against the Crusaders in 25 years this season, as well as again visiting the Chiefs to continue a blossoming rivalry on the road. International trips to face the Highlanders and Fijian Drua feature too.
Queensland Rugby Union Chief Executive David Hanham said that the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific draw rewarded Reds fans with some eagerly anticipated clashes.
“We always look forward to welcoming our Australian rivals to Brisbane, but we’re also delighted to be hosting the Blues on ANZAC Day following on from the success of that match last year,” Hanham said.
“We also know that there is a strong Hurricanes fanbase here in Brisbane who have been waiting for their team to return, and we encourage them to turn out in their droves and experience the Reds fans and players in full flight.
“With a strong Pacific community here in Queensland it’s special to bookend our home games with clashes against Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua. As the team looks to build on the growth of 2025, we urge our members and fans to continue to show the amazing support which saw the Reds experience a 31% year-on-year increase in attendance in 2024.”
Queensland Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said that the draw was one which excited him and his coaching staff.
“There’s no easy games in Super Rugby, home or away, and the draw release always showcases the challenge of the task ahead,” Kiss said.
“That’s why we’re in this game – because we want to be challenged. We’re looking forward to putting on a show at Suncorp Stadium for Queensland fans and making you proud on the road.
“We’re especially pleased to welcome (Head Coach) Vern Cotter and the Blues back again on ANZAC Day, and we acknowledge the support of SANZAAR in assisting with a Round One bye off the back of our historic UK & Ireland Tour. There’s plenty to look forward to in 2025.”
Following the success of the standalone match against Wales in Brisbane in July, as well as the tour to Tonga and the upcoming tours to Japan, the UK & Ireland, the Queensland Rugby Union will continue to identify further opportunities to test Reds players in additional meaningful matches outside of the SRP season.
Exact venues for away matches will be announced by host teams in due course.
Round 1: BYE
Round 2 (Home): Queensland Reds v. Moana Pasifika, Friday February 21, 19:35
Round 3 (Away): Western Force v. Queensland Reds, Saturday March 1, 18:35. Super Rugby
Culture Round
Round 4 (Away): Crusaders v. Queensland Reds, Sunday March 9, 12:35
Round 5 (Home): Queensland Reds v. NSW Waratahs, Saturday March 15, 18:35 Super Rugby Kids Round
Round 6 (Away): Highlanders v. Queensland Reds, Saturday March 22, 13:35
Round 7 (Home): Queensland Reds v. Western Force, Saturday March 29, 18:35
Round 8 (Away): Chiefs v. Queensland Reds, Friday April 4, 16:05
Round 9 (Home): Queensland Reds v. ACT Brumbies, Saturday April 12, 19:35
Round 10: BYE
Round 11 (Home): Queensland Reds v. Blues, Friday April 25, 19:35 Super Rugby ANZAC Weekend Round
Round 12 (Away): Fijian Drua v. Queensland Reds, Saturday May 3, 12:05
Round 13 (Away): NSW Waratahs v. Queensland Reds, Friday May 9, 19:35
Round 14 (Away): ACT Brumbies v. Queensland Reds, Saturday May 17, 19:35
Round 15 (Home): Queensland Reds v. Hurricanes, Friday May 23, 19:35
Round 16 (Home): Queensland Reds v. Fijian Drua, Saturday May 31, 19:35 QRU Indigenous
Finals Series (Top Six Qualify).
