Super Rugby AU

{{Short description|Rugby Union Competition}}

{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox sports league

| title = Super Rugby AU

| current_season =

| logo = Super Rugby AU logo 2021.png

| pixels = 200px

| caption = Official Logo

| formerly =

| last_season =

| upcoming_season =

| sport = Rugby Union

| inaugural = 2020

| folded = 2021

| replaced =

| teams = 5

| country = Australia

| champion = {{Rut|Reds}} (2021; 1st title)

| most_champs = {{plainlist|

• {{Rut|Brumbies}} (1 title)
• {{Rut|Reds}} (1 title)

}}

| tv = See broadcasters

| sponsor = Harvey Norman

| related_comps = Super Rugby
Super Rugby Aotearoa
Super Rugby Unlocked

| website = [http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/ SuperRugby.com]

}}

Super Rugby AU, formerly named the Harvey Norman Super Rugby AU for sponsorship purposes,{{cite news|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2021/02/18/2021-super-rugby-au-sponsor-announcement|title=Harvey Norman announced as Super Rugby AU naming rights partner for 2021|work=Rugby.com.au|date=19 February 2021|access-date=19 February 2021}} was a rugby union competition organised by Rugby Australia. The competition was created to supplant the 2020 Super Rugby season, which had been suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to ongoing international travel restrictions relating to the pandemic, the competition was continued with a second season in 2021.{{Cite web|title=Revealed: Rugby Australia announce 2021 Super Rugby AU draw|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/11/10/2021-australia-super-rugby-draw-revealed-with-new-zealand-crossover-set-to-follow|access-date=2020-12-02|website=www.rugby.com.au|date=11 November 2020 |language=en}} The competition features the four Australian Super Rugby teams from the Australian conference, with the addition of the Western Force, in a round-robin tournament over a 12-week period, made up of 10 rounds, a qualifying final and a final.

The competition was announced on 12 May,{{Cite news|date=2020-06-10|title=Suncorp Stadium derby to open Super Rugby AU competition|language=en-AUS|work=Rugby Australia|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/06/10/super-rugby-au-confirmation|access-date=2020-06-13}} with the first round commencing on 3 July, making it the third sport to return in Australia (behind AFL and NRL) and just the second rugby union competition to return. Initially, all games were played behind-closed-doors, with restrictions on crowds being eased over time.{{Cite news|date=2020-06-12|title=PM opens door for Super Rugby AU crowds|language=en-AUS|work=Rugby Australia|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/06/12/super-rugby-au-crowds|access-date=2020-06-13}}{{Cite web|date=2020-09-10|title=Brumbies get crowd boost for Super AU decider|url=https://www.espn.com.au/rugby/story/_/id/29848971/brumbies-get-crowd-boost-super-rugby-au-decider|access-date=2020-12-02|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}