Changes will be implemented in Super Rugby Pacific for the upcoming season, which will feature an expanded 16-round regular season, Sunday afternoon matches, and a competitive six-team finals format.
The 2025 season is set to kick off on Friday, February 14, starting a week earlier than previous years to accommodate the additional round of Super Rugby Pacific matches.
The season schedule will include family-friendly afternoon games, specifically three Sunday matches, with plans to potentially add more Sunday fixtures in the future.
Key features of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific competition include:
– A total of 11 teams participating: ACT Brumbies, Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Fijian Drua, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds, and Western Force.
– Teams will compete in 14 regular-season matches, consisting of seven home and seven away games, with two allocated byes.
– Each team will face four teams twice, focusing on rivalries, and will play the remaining six teams once.
– The top six teams at the end of the regular season will qualify for a three-week Finals Series.
– In the first week of the Finals Series, the matchups will be 1 vs. 6, 2 vs. 5, and 3 vs. 4, with higher-seeded teams hosting the games.
– The three winners from the Qualifying Finals will move on to the Semi-Finals, alongside the highest-ranked losing team, known as the “lucky loser,” who will drop one seeding in the Semi-Final draw.
– Semi-Finals will consist of 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 matchups, again with higher-seeded teams hosting.
– The two winners from the Semi-Finals will proceed to the Grand Final, hosted by the higher-seeded team.
Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley expressed excitement for the new structure, noting, “We’re thrilled to reveal the revamped structure, some new features and the start date for the next season of Super Rugby Pacific.” He emphasized the importance of fans and highlighted the convenience of Sunday fixtures for families. Mesley also conveyed enthusiasm for the new Finals Series format, designed to ensure fierce competition while rewarding teams that excel during the season.