The Waratahs will play three pre-season matches against the Brumbies, Chiefs and Highlanders ahead of the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.

These fixtures will be new head coach Daryl Gibson’s first in charge of the side since taking over from Michael Cheika in 2015. He is excited to see how his players match up against three of Super Rugby’s toughest sides, including the 2015 champions, the Highlanders.

‘Going up against three of the top six 2015 Super Rugby sides will be a good chance for us to test ourselves as a team with some competitive matches ahead of the 2016 season,’ Gibson said. ‘The players have already forged some strong bonds across the pre-season, so it will be good to see how they come together in a game situation. It’ll be great for some of the new guys too, who will be vying for a spot in the team this year, so I’m keen to see who steps up.’

The Waratahs play the Brumbies in the first of their pre-season matches in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, on 6 February. They then travel to New Zealand to face the Chiefs in Rotorua on 12 February, and the Highlanders in Queenstown on 19 February.

The Tahs' Super Rugby season gets under way on 27 February against the Reds in Sydney. 

Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images