Japan, Argentina included in Super Rugby draw

The Highlanders will be out to defend their title as the new Super Rugby draw is released. Photo / Getty

They haven't got names yet and there's some doubt over their playing make-up, but Japan and Argentina are included in the draw for the expanded Super Rugby competition next year.

Sanzar yesterday released the 2016 draw which features the two new teams plus one more from South Africa.

The Japanese team will play their first game against the Lions on February 27 in Tokyo.

Super Rugby will also be played in Singapore for the first time when the Singapore Sports Hub hosts matches between the Japanese side and the Cheetahs (round 3), Bulls (round 5) and Stormers (round 12).

The Argentine team start their Super Rugby campaign in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs while the Port-Elizabeth-based Kings re-enter the competition with a clash against the Sharks at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, in the first round.

The competition, which involves 17 rounds before qualifiers and playoffs, begins with a double-header on February 26 as last year's winners the Highlanders go up against the Blues in Auckland. Later, the Brumbies host the Hurricanes.

The Crusaders take on the Chiefs at home the following night in the second all-New Zealand derby of the opening weekend.

Tana Umaga's Blues' season start doesn't get any easier as they will face the Crusaders in Christchurch in week two and follow that with the Hurricanes a week later.

The Highlanders and Hurricanes reprise their 2015 final in round two at a venue to be confirmed.

Round four sees the first New Zealand franchise, the Chiefs, in action against the Argentina side at a venue to be advised.

New Zealand Rugby general manager rugby Neil Sorensen said the expanded competition took it to a new level.

Sorensen said it was a fantastic opportunity to grow the game, and that New Zealand would be rebuilding after World Cup so there would be huge opportunities for a whole new generation of exciting young talent to show their wares and press for All Blacks places.

Click here to see the full draw.