Moana Pasifika will face off against the Blues in Auckland in their opening match of the revised Super Rugby Pacific competition while the Fijian Drua take on the Waratahs in New South Wales.
The draw has been revised due to new Covid-19 trans-Tasman travel restrictions.
The five New Zealand-based teams, and the six Australian-based teams will play their first eight games in their respective countries.
Moana Pasifika played a one-off game against the Māori All Blacks in December. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Moana Pasifika will be based in New Zealand and the Fijian Drua are based in Australia.
Moana Pasifika's game against the Blues takes place at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday February 18; the Drua's game against the Waratahs follows that game on the same evening at a venue to be confirmed.
In the second round Moana visit the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday February 25; the Drua play the Brumbies in Canberra the following day.
Moana Pasifika's rugby director Kevin Senio welcomed the revised draw as a dream way to kick off the club's first season.
"We are thrilled that we are still hosting the opening round, and we couldn't have asked for a more fitting way to kick off our debut season," he said.
"I know that a lot of our fans will be torn between their loyalties. But I also know that we are able to attract a lot of new fans to the game because of their pride in our heritage."
Head Coach Aaron Mauger said regardless of the opposition, the opportunity to play the opening round at home, was a significant milestone that would not be lost on the team.
"It doesn't really matter how you carve up the draw, every game is as hard as the next. But it is pretty special to be able to play at our home ground three times in the first six rounds, but to play in New Zealand for all of the first seven rounds is something I think will be a huge advantage to us.
"We're under no illusions that we are up against arguably the five strongest teams in the competition for eight games straight but our primary focus will be on ourselves and the things that we can do to compete with and challenge the New Zealand teams consistently during that period. It's a challenge we look forward to." he said.
Fijian Drua CEO Brian Thorburn said the team was excited to get the revised schedule confirmed so we can get on to locking in our home matches and logistics for the first season.
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa joins the Fijian Drua for their 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign. Photo: © www.Photosport.nz 2018
"It's still quite thrilling for us as we look forward to our Super Rugby debut. Naturally, we respect that ongoing border closures have necessitated the re-draw for our first season. The updated schedule to have Australian and NZ based teams play local derbies until Round 10 [starting 22 April] is the best possible option under the circumstances."
"Our team is calling on all Fijians and Fiji fans who can make it to our first match in New South Wales to come in numbers, to show their support. Clearly we would want to make a statement both on and off the field, and the support and prayers of our fans and supporters will make all the difference for our players.
"The Waratahs are building up a great squad for the 2022 season, and they'll be an excellent team for our Fijian Drua players to take on in front of their families, friends and home fans. The Tahs have big names like Wallaby captain Michael Hooper and Wallabies' Angus Bell, Jake Gordon, Lachlan Swinton, and Izaia Perese. They have their own Fijian flavour as well with Mark Nawaqanitawase and Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco in their squad. So it'll be a homecoming of sorts as well for these players of Fijian roots.
"We'll welcome the Tahs and their supporters to Fiji for the first time ever, and look forward to showcasing Fiji as a fantastic sporting and events destination. We are still evaluating prospects for another match to be hosted in Fiji, which could either be against the Force in Round 5 [March 19], the Highlanders in Round 11 [30 April] or the Chiefs in Round 15 [27 May]. Border restrictions and other commercial considerations will be a factor, and we'll make announcements in due course after these ongoing evaluations."
Thorburn says the Drua will finalise all other home venues for 2022 in Australia shortly against the Rebels, Brumbies, Highlanders, Moana Pasifika and the Chiefs.