Two rounds have been added to the season, which starts on April 6.

Southern Inland rugby manager Jack Heffernan said the additional rounds were the reason for the change of finals format.

“I think it was a four-week finals just to extend that season out, but now we have done so in other ways we don’t need to have a four-week finals series,” Heffernan said. 

“I think it is more competitive to have a four-team finals out of eight rather than five out of eight.”

The first round is ‘rivalry round’ with clashes between traditional foes.

Premiers Waratahs start their season up against Wagga City, CSU tackles Ag College, Leeton and Griffith will face off while Tumut hosts Albury.

Round two has been dubbed ‘country round’ with the four Wagga clubs all playing outside the city.

The remaining 14 rounds are a traditional home and away draw.

There is also two general byes in the first six weeks of the season.

There is a break for Easter on April 20 while a City v Country representative game has been introduced.

The game will be played in Leeton to coincide with a junior gala day on May 12.

With a bye added in for the City v Country game there will now only be one week off for representative commitments in the middle of the season.

The June long weekend remains a general bye for the Brumbies Provincial Tournament however the following weekend when the Brumbies Provincial Team plays will clash with round eight.

Traditionally Southern Inland has dominated the squad, with 13 picked last year, but now they will need to forgo a club game if selected.

Heffernan does not believe it will affect player’s willingness to put their hands up for representative honours.

“I think people will still be putting their hand up to play SIRU no matter what,” he said.

“Everyone who wants to be involved has already put their hand up and I’m sure they won’t turn down an opportunity to play for Brumbies Provincial.”

Finals start on August 17 where the minor premiers tackle the second placed team for a place in the grand final while three and four face off for their survival in the first week.

The grand final will be on August 31.

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