Significant changes are set to take place in Super Rugby Pacific for the upcoming season, featuring an expanded 16-round regular season, Sunday afternoon matches, and a more competitive six-team finals format.
The 2025 season is scheduled to commence on Friday, February 14, a week earlier than in previous years, to accommodate the extra round of matches.
The new schedule includes family-oriented afternoon games, with three Sunday matches planned and the possibility of adding more Sunday fixtures in the future.
Key features of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific format 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.
– Each team will compete in 14 regular season matches, consisting of seven home and seven away games, with two byes.
– Teams will face four rival teams twice and play against the other 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 home advantage given to higher-seeded teams.
– The winners of the Qualifying Finals will advance to the Semi-Finals, joined by the highest-seeded losing team, referred to as the “lucky loser,” who will drop one seed for the Semi-Final draw.
– The Semi-Finals will feature 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3, again with higher-seeded teams hosting.
– The two Semi-Final winners will compete in the Grand Final, which will also feature the higher-seeded team as the host.
Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley expressed excitement regarding the new structure and features. He highlighted the focus on enhancing the fan experience, particularly with the addition of Sunday fixtures that make it easier for families to enjoy the games. Mesley also noted the anticipation for the new Finals Series, aimed at delivering competitive matchups while rewarding top-performing teams.