Super Rugby Pacific Transitions to Exciting Six-Team Playoff System

Super Rugby Pacific has announced a transition from its eight-team finals format to a six-team playoff system starting in 2025. The move includes a 'lucky loser' element to ensure more competitive matchups. This change follows issues in the previous seasons and aims to enhance fan engagement.

Super Rugby Pacific has scrapped its controversial eight-team finals format, opting instead for a six-team playoff system set to commence in 2025, officials revealed on Friday.

This overhaul comes after the Melbourne Rebels' disappointing performance at the end of the 2024 season, reducing the league to 11 teams.

Introduced in 2022 alongside teams Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika, the eight-team format faced criticism for rewarding underperforming sides. The revamped format will feature three weekends of playoffs, a 'lucky loser' provision, and ensuring higher-seeded teams get home-field advantage. 'We're particularly excited about the new Finals Series,' said Super Rugby Pacific boss Jack Mesley.

(With inputs from agencies.)