Sydney and Melbourne are set to face off in a new annual rugby grudge match.
The brainchild of the new Sydney Rugby Union, who take over the management of the Sydney club competition this month, the match has been scheduled as a curtain raiser to the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby home game against South Africa's Sharks on March 11.
Sydney Rugby Union chairman Chris Birch says the selection processes for both city teams would ensure an even battle.
He says "Melbourne will be using a lot of the players they've got who are on Super Rugby contracts who may not be playing in the main game whereas our team will be chosen purely from the 12 clubs in Sydney."
He said several games were planned for the Sydney team in 2011, including the return of the traditional clash with Country, and future years could see midweek matches against touring international sides.
