Super Rugby Pacific unveils ‘lucky loser’ twist in new format for 2025

David Skippers
Harry Plummer and Mark Plummer image

Blues fly-half Harry Plummer and his dad, physiotherapist Mark, celebrate the Auckland-based side's 2024 Super Rugby Pacific title win.

Super Rugby Pacific organisers have announced that the competition is set to undergo some changes with an extended 16-round regular season.

The new format will also feature Sunday afternoon matches and a more competitive six-team play-off system with a ‘lucky loser’ to be introduced in 2025.

The 2025 campaign will get underway on February 14, a week earlier than previous years, to accommodate the additional round of Super Rugby Pacific action.

Next year’s Super Rugby Pacific draw features family-friendly afternoon matches, including three Sunday afternoon fixtures with a view to exploring additional Sunday fixtures moving forward.

Features of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition format include:

– With the Melbourne Rebels no longer in existence, the following 11 teams will be competing in the tournament: ACT Brumbies, Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Fijian Drua, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force.

– All competing sides will play 14 regular season matches, consisting of seven home games and seven away games, and be allocated two byes.

– Teams will play four teams twice, with a focus on rivalry match-ups, and the six remaining teams once.

– The top six teams on the table at the end of the regular season will qualify for the three-week finals series.

– In week one of the finals series, qualifying finals will see teams ranked 1 v 6, 2 v 5 and 3 v 4 with the higher-seeded teams hosting those matches.

‘What a mess! So much wrong!’ – Fans slam Super Rugby Pacific’s ‘lucky loser’ and new format

– The three winning teams of the qualifying finals will progress to the semi-finals.

– They will be joined by the highest-seeded losing team (the ‘lucky loser’), who will drop one seeding for the semi-final draw.

– The semi-finals will see teams ranked 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 with the higher-seeded teams to host those fixtures.

– The two winning teams of the semi-finals will progress to the grand final, which will be hosted by the higher-seeded team.

Super Rugby Pacific also introduced a new chief executive, Sydney-based Jack Mesley, who started in the position in July, and he is looking forward to the upcoming season.

Australia v All Blacks: Joe Schmidt ignores pleas to include overseas-based stars as Wallabies get timely double boost

‘Thrilled to reveal the revamped structure’

“We’re thrilled to reveal the revamped structure, some new features and the start date for the next season of Super Rugby Pacific,” he said.

“The fans are always front of mind and while the full draw will be released soon, we wanted to give them an early insight into what they can look forward to in 2025.

“The introduction of three Sunday afternoon fixtures will make it easier for families to experience the excitement of the Super Rugby Pacific, and we can look to build on that offering in future seasons.

“We’re particularly excited about the new Finals Series, which is designed to produce highly competitive matchups while still rewarding the teams that finish at the top of the table.”

READ MORE: Crusaders make decision on Rob Penney’s future after horrific first season in charge