Northern | US

Super Rugby Pacific ditches lucky loser in new format with more games

The Hurricanes celebrate after winning the Super Rugby Grand Final. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Comments
5 Comments

Super Rugby Pacific has announced key changes to the 2027 season and playoff format, adjusting to the absence of Moana Pasifika and responding to criticism of the lucky-loser system used over the past two seasons.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 10-team competition will run for 17 weeks, with just one bye per team, meaning the total number of games played for each side will increase from 14 to 16.

The season will still begin in the second weekend of February, but with the addition of the ANZAC Day Bledisloe Cup Test, will now finish one week later. The squads for the Bledisloe Cup game will be announced following round 9, heightening the emphasis on early-season form for all eligible players.

VIDEO

The playoffs will still feature the top six teams from the regular season, but this time the top two will earn a week off and await the winners of the 3 vs. 6 and 4 vs. 5 elimination finals in the semi-finals.

Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said the changes were designed to deliver a more compelling format for the coming season.

“We’re delighted to have developed a structure that pushes the limits of our competition window to deliver more games and give every fan more opportunities to see their favourite teams in action,” Mesley said.

“At the same time our new-look Finals Series ensures teams will be more desperate than ever to finish in the top two to secure a week off, and the top four to host a home Final, while every Finals game will be a genuine do-or-die contest on the road to the championship.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The introduction of the Anzac Bledisloe to our calendar will help ensure every match means more, with Test jerseys up for grabs from the moment we kick off in February.

“Off the back of the success of Super Round in 2026, we are working diligently to confirm it remains an integral part of our calendar next year.

“We’re already looking forward to the storylines, drama and excitement that this new structure will help deliver for Super Rugby Pacific in 2027.”

Further details regarding the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific draw will be announced in the coming weeks.

ADVERTISEMENT

2027 Super Rugby Pacific playoffs format

Elimination Finals

3-seed vs. 6-seed

4-seed vs. 5-seed

Semi-Finals

1-seed vs. lowest-seeded EF winner

2-seed vs. highest-seeded EF winner

Grand Final

Highest-seeded SF winner vs. Lowest-seeded SF winner

RugbyPass App Download

News, stats, live rugby and more! Download the new RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!


Whether you’re looking for somewhere to track upcoming fixtures, a place to watch live rugby or an app that shows you all of the latest news and analysis, the RugbyPass rugby app is perfect.

Get the RugbyPass App 📱

Follow the biggest matches with live scores, line-ups, news and analysis, all in the RugbyPass App.

Download Here
On Apple IOS, Android, and Tablet.
ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

5 Comments
A
Another 26 mins ago

I’d prefer 18 rounds of Home/Away Round Robin and Top 4 qualifying for Semis then Final. No need to elaborate why.

S
Spew_81 19 mins ago

Agree “8 rounds of Home/Away Round Robin and Top 4 qualifying for Semis then Final”.


If they want more playoff games. They can have a Cup/Plate/Bowl set up. Top four, next four, wooden spoon game. Those games will still matter, to the teams involved and their fans, as everyone wants to end their season on a win.

O
Over the sideline 38 mins ago

So yet again we get an unfair comp. Just play each year home and away. 18 rounds. Simple. Then the Silly Anzac test gets plonked in the middle.

S
Spew_81 19 mins ago

They used to start Super Rugby in January. They can move it two weeks back to make it a proper home and away set up.

S
SB 52 mins ago

6 out of 10 teams making the playoffs is just a joke. 18 rounds, home and away with no byes. Semi final then final was very clearly the way to go.

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

Close Panel
Close Panel

Edition & Time Zone

{{current.name}}
Set time zone automatically
{{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
Choose a different time zone
Close Panel

Editions

Close Panel

Change Time Zone

Close
ADVERTISEMENT
Copied to clipboard

Share Article close