The draw for the Super Rugby transtasman competition was confirmed yesterday with kick-off times and dates released.
The side will play at least three of its five games in the new transtasman competition on Friday nights. It is also playing six of its eight games in the Super Rugby Aotearoa competition on Friday nights.
The Aotearoa competition finishes the week before the combined competition starts.
In the combined competition, the Highlanders will start with a home game against the Reds on May 14 at Forsyth Barr Stadium. They then head to Perth to take on the Force, again on the following Friday.
A super round, in which all 10 teams play in one venue, will take place the following weekend.
The venue has yet to be announced but Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane looms as the candidate as it is a quality surface which will stand up to five games over a weekend.
The Highlanders then come back to Dunedin with a game against the Waratahs on June 5, a Saturday.
Their final game will be against the Brumbies in Canberra on June 11, again a Friday, with both games in Australia kicking off at 9.45pm. The final is set to be played on June 19.
There will just be one competition ladder with the top two teams facing off in the final.
What the confirmed draw does mean is the Highlanders are hosting the opening games in both Super Rugby Aotearoa and the combined competition. The side kicks off the Aotearoa competition against the Crusaders on February 26 at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The Highlanders were named earlier this month and are set to start training early next month.
They play the Crusaders and the Hurricanes in preseason games in Temuka and Alexandra respectively.
Highlanders
Super Rugby transtasman draw
Highlanders v Reds, Friday, May 14, Dunedin, 7.05pm
Force v Highlanders, Friday, May 21, Perth, 9.45pm
Rebels v Hig hlanders, Super Round (to be decided)
Highlanders v Waratahs, Saturday,June 5, Dunedin, 7.05pm
Brumbies v Highlanders, Friday, June 11, Canberra, 9.45pm
Final: Saturday, June 19
