Super Rugby tweaks daft ‘lucky loser’ format after 2025 controversy
The Super Rugby Pacific trophy and an inset of Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie. (Photos by James Foy/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire)
The ‘lucky loser’ concept will once again be in place for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, but with a tweak.
SANZAAR introduced the controversial format ahead of the 2025 season, which saw the highest-seeded losing team in the Qualifying Finals progress to the semi-finals despite falling to defeat.
In its debut season, the losing quarter-finalist dropped just one seeding position for the semi-final draw, which has now been tweaked.
Lucky loser tweak
The 2025 season controversially saw the Chiefs, who finished the regular season at the top of the overall log, fall to a 20-19 defeat to the Blues in Qualifying Finals – the first round of knockout matches.
Due to the defeat, Clayton McMillan’s charges dropped to second place in the seedings for the next knockout match, becoming the lucky loser, which meant that they hosted the semi-final a week later against the Brumbies. The Waikato-based outfit went on to defeat the Brumbies 37-17 and progress to the final, where they were beaten by the Crusaders.
While announcing the fixture list for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, the tournament organiser confirmed that the lucky loser in the Qualifying Finals would not be able to host a semi-final or final going forward.
“Off the field, fan feedback has helped inform a tweak of the ‘lucky loser’ mechanic introduced to the competition’s Finals Series last season,” a statement read.
“In 2025 the ‘lucky loser’ was penalised one seeding, which saw the top-ranked Chiefs defeated in a Qualifying Final but still host a Semi-Final fixture the following weekend.
“However, in 2026 the highest-ranked losing team from the Qualifying Finals will progress as the fourth seed, ensuring they play away from home in the Semi-Finals and also the Grand Final should they qualify.”
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2026 season
The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, which is the 30th of the competition, begins on Friday, 13 February, with defending champions the Crusaders kicking off their title defence in a southern derby against the Highlanders in Dunedin, before Australia’s oldest rivalry takes centre stage as the NSW Waratahs host the Queensland Reds.
The opening round continues on Saturday, 14 February as the Fijian Drua meet Moana Pasifika at their fortress in Lautoka, the Blues and Chiefs clash in Auckland, and there’s a throwback to the Western Force’s first-ever Super Rugby game as they tackle the ACT Brumbies in Perth.
Super Rugby Pacific will touch down in Tonga for only the second time when Moana Pasifika take on the Chiefs at Teufaiva Stadium in Round 9, while the competition makes its return over the Anzac weekend in Round 11, with ten teams descending on Ōtautahi Christchurch for the highly anticipated opening of One New Zealand Stadium.
The opening night party on Friday 24 April will see the Crusaders take on the Waratahs, while the competition’s burgeoning Anzac Day rivalries reignite the following day as the Hurricanes face the Brumbies and the Blues tackle the Reds. The three-day festival of rugby concludes on Sunday, 26 April, with a double-header featuring the Highlanders against Moana Pasifika and the Chiefs facing Fijian Drua.
“In 2025 we saw Super Rugby Pacific take another big step forward, with more fans, more drama, and more unexpected results. That success has set the stage for an even bigger year in 2026 as we mark a milestone in Super Rugby,” Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said.
“Thirty years on from the first Super Rugby season, the competition continues to deliver what makes it special – world-class players, high-octane rugby and a connection to communities right across the Pacific.
“The 2026 draw has something for everyone. With Super Round coming to Ōtautahi Christchurch and the full draw now released, it’s the perfect time for fans to start planning how they’ll be part of the action.”