Crusaders to kick off 2015 Super Rugby season

 Seven-time champions Canterbury Crusaders will kick off the 2015 Super Rugby campaign against the Melbourne Rebels at home on February 13, organisers SANZAR said Thursday.
The New South Wales Waratahs, who beat the Crusaders with a last-minute penalty goal to win their first title last month, will face the Western Force at home two days later.
In other opening round games, the ACT Brumbies take on the Queensland Reds, strengthened by the high-profile signings of James O'Connor and Karmichael Hunt, in Canberra, while the Blues host the Waikato Chiefs in Auckland.
The Coastal Sharks and the Northern Bulls launch their seasons at home with South African derbies against the Central Cheetahs and Western Stormers respectively.
The Golden Lions host the Wellington Hurricanes at Johannesburg's Ellis Park.
A re-match of the record-breaking final will take place in round 15 when the Waratahs and Crusaders return to Sydney's ANZ Stadium on May 23.
"The 2015 season marks the final year of Super Rugby in its current (15-team) format before the competition expands (to 18 teams) into a bold new era from 2016," SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters noted.
The return of the Southern Kings from South Africa's Eastern Cape and a side based in Argentina have already been confirmed for 2016 with Japan and Singapore vying for the licence to run the remaining team.
The season in 2015 kicks off on the same weekend as usual in February, but finishes a month earlier to allow national teams adequate time to prepare for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England from September 18.
South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby said as a result there would be no June Test window in the 2015 Super Rugby season.
Source: AFP