The competition was created to supplant the 2020 Super Rugby season, which had been suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to ongoing international travel restrictions relating to the pandemic, the competition was continued with a second season in 2021.

[6] Super Rugby AU was shown by the following broadcasters: The 2020 tournament was run by Rugby Australia with the sponsorship of Foxtel which provided television coverage on its Fox Sports channels with Vodafone (Australia) being the naming rights sponsor.

Ahead of the 2021 season, Foxtel and Vodafone ended their sponsorship agreements, with Nine Network and Stan Sports providing the television coverage.

Ahead of the start of the 2021 season, Rugby Australia announced a naming right sponsorship deal with retail company Harvey Norman.