The Waratahs will play the Fiji 15's rugby side in an extra pre-season trial match next year.

This is after SANZAR rejected a proposal to hold a six-team finals series, meaning that the Super 14 season will start one week later.

If the six-team finals concept had been adopted, next season would have started on Friday - February 6 - but with SANZAR sticking with a four-team series, round one is set to be scheduled for February 13, 14 and 15.

That will allow Super 14 sides to accommodate three trial matches, not two, as was originally planned.

The Waratahs will confirm in the next day or two that their first trial will be against Fiji. NSW Rugby Union Chief Executive Jim L'Estrange said they are trying to lock that trial match around the weekend of January 24-25 at a venue outside of Sydney, such as at new Castle or on the Central Coast.

The Waratahs have also lined up matches with the Reds and the Brumbies.