How to watch rugby union in Australia

Rugby union has a proud history in Australia, with two Rugby World Cup titles for the Wallabies, in 1991 and 1999. Rugby Australia's broadcast partner is Nine, with Stan Sport as the streaming home and Nine's free-to-air channels showing the biggest matches. In 2025, Rugby Australia extended the partnership through 2030.

Stan Sport

Stan Sport is a subscription add-on to the Stan streaming service. It is the Australian home of Super Rugby Pacific, with every match live and on demand, and it shows Wallabies and Wallaroos Tests. Stan Sport also carries other international rugby, depending on the rights it holds each year.

Free-to-air: Nine and 9Now

Nine shows Wallabies home Tests and matches against New Zealand free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Selected Super Rugby Pacific matches may also be shown on Nine, but this is not guaranteed each week. Check Nine's guide.

Super Rugby Pacific

Super Rugby Pacific features teams from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Australian teams have included the Queensland Reds, New South Wales Waratahs, ACT Brumbies and Western Force. The season runs from late summer into winter, ending with finals.

The Wallabies

The Wallabies play home Tests in the middle of the year and in spring, along with the Rugby Championship against New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina, and the Bledisloe Cup against the All Blacks. Away Tests may be shown by different arrangements, so check Rugby Australia's guide before each match.

The Wallaroos and sevens

The Wallaroos, Australia's women's XVs team, and the national sevens teams also have strong followings. The Australian women's sevens team won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Check Rugby Australia's guide for where their matches are shown.

Rugby World Cup

Australia is due to host the men's Rugby World Cup in 2027 and the women's Rugby World Cup in 2029. Broadcast arrangements for World Cups are announced separately. Check Rugby Australia and World Rugby announcements closer to the tournaments.

Radio

Radio coverage of rugby union varies. Check Rugby Australia's guide and your local stations.

Following the season

1. Download Rugby Australia's app or check rugby.com.au for fixtures.
2. Watch the Wallabies free on Nine and 9Now.
3. Subscribe to Stan Sport during Super Rugby Pacific if you want every match.
4. Follow your Super Rugby team's website for ticket and membership offers.

Free or paid: which do you need?

If you mainly follow the Wallabies, Nine's free coverage of home Tests and matches against New Zealand may be enough. If you follow a Super Rugby Pacific team, you will need Stan Sport to watch every match. Because Stan Sport is a monthly add-on, many fans subscribe for the Super Rugby season and keep it through the Test season.

Rugby union's big years ahead

Australia's hosting of the 2027 men's Rugby World Cup and the 2029 women's Rugby World Cup puts the sport in the spotlight. The British and Irish Lions toured Australia in 2025. Expect broadcast arrangements for the World Cups to be announced separately from Rugby Australia's regular deal.

Avoiding spoilers

Many international Tests are played overnight in Australian time. If you watch a replay, mute rugby apps and notifications until you have seen the match.

Season dates

Super Rugby Pacific usually runs from February to June. Wallabies Tests are played mainly from July to October. See our sports calendar.