The 2022 Super Rugby Pacific draw has been released and there's plenty to like for Brumbies fans

The 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season is shaping up as a good one for the Brumbies. Photo: File.

The Brumbies will play seven home games in 2022 in the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific competition, which will feature 12 teams from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

The draw appears to be relatively attractive for the Brumbies, with home games against the top three New Zealand teams from the 2021 season: the Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues.

The Brumbies will also play Australian rivals the Waratahs, Reds and Western Force at GIO Stadium.

The club will start the season in Auckland on 18 February against Moana Pasifika, a side that includes Canberra legend Christian Lealiifano.

That fixture will be followed by a Super Rugby round in Melbourne where all teams will play at AAMI Park. During this weekend, the Brumbies will play home side the Rebels for the only time during the 2022 regular rounds.

The first home game for the Brumbies will be against the Waratahs on Saturday, 5 March.

Past clashes between these two sides would have drawn more than 20,000 fans, but in the wake of the Waratahs dismal performances in the past couple of seasons, including in 2021 when they failed to win a game, there is more sympathy than fear these days for the ‘Tahs.

The blockbuster games at GIO Stadium will see the Brumbies face the Reds on 12 March, the Crusaders on 21 May, and the Chiefs on 26 March.

Currently, the venue for the game against the Chiefs is yet to be confirmed because GIO Stadium is already booked for the NRL fixture between the Canberra Raiders and Gold Coast Titans on Saturday, 26 March.

Given Manuka Oval is also controlled by the ACT Government, common sense would suggest that an arrangement could be worked out whereby the Brumbies avoid any penalties activated by not playing at GIO Stadium.

Other Brumbies highlights from the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific draw include a Saturday afternoon game against the Hurricanes, a Sunday afternoon fixture against Western Force, and two Friday night matches against the Reds and Blues.

The top eight will make it through to the finals in June.