The seven-time champion Crusaders will kick off a condensed 2015 Super Rugby season when they host the Melbourne Rebels in Christchurch on February 13th.
The Blues host the Chiefs in the opening round, while the Hurricanes play South Africans the Lions in Johannesburg.
The Highlanders have a bye in round one with their first game at home in Dunedin against the Crusaders.
The defending champions the New South Wales Waratahs play the Western Force in Sydney.
New South Wales' Kurtley Beale holds the 2014 Super Rugby trophy aloft. Photo: Photosport
The South African sides the Sharks and the Bulls launch their seasons at home with derbies against the Cheetahs and Stormers respectively.
All conferences will start on the same weekend this time with no June international window due to 2015 Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in just under a year.
Each team plays home and away derbies within their own conference.
The 2015 season marks the final year of Super Rugby in its current format before the competition expands in 2016.
