‘What a mess! So much wrong!’ – Fans slam Super Rugby Pacific’s ‘lucky loser’ and new format

Jared Wright
Blues star Rieko Ioane and-Super Rugby Pacific format.

Super Rugby Pacific's new format has been slammed by fans.

Super Rugby Pacific’s new format has polarised the rugby public with some fans backing the new ‘lucky loser’ in the knockout stages while many others have slammed the decision.

The 2025 season will see 11 teams battle it out to be crowned the Super Rugby Pacific champions, with the tournament organisers opting not to fill the void created by the Melbourne Rebels’ collapse.

New Super Rugby Pacific Format

On Friday, the refreshed structure was confirmed with the tournament now extended to a 16-round regular season and will feature Sunday afternoon fixtures.

However, the main talking point is the new knockout stage format which SANZAAR describes as ‘a more competitive six-team finals system’.

Following the conclusion of the Super Rugby Pacific regular season, the top six teams on the table will qualify for the three-week Finals Series. In week one the, Qualifying Finals will be seed 1 v 6, 2 v 5 and 3 v 4 with the higher-seeded teams to host the match.

The three winners of the Qualifying Finals will progress to the Semi-Finals and the final spot will be filled by what is described as ‘the lucky loser’ – the highest-seeded losing team.

Effectively, a team is able to lose their first playoff game but still win the Super Rugby title. Similar formats have been used in the AFL, NRL and Australia’s Shute Shield but makes its debut in one of rugby’s top-flight competitions.

Super Rugby Pacific unveils ‘lucky loser’ twist in new format for 2025

Reaction

As mentioned above, the new format has been met with mixed reviews but has seemingly leaned on the negative.

“Imagine thinking its feasible to roll out a playoff model for a pro sport where a playoff loser advances to the semi-finals, and then marketing that stupidity with a term that trumpets the lunacy? “Lucky Loser”,” South African writer Zelim Nel wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Dylan Jack added: “Super Rugby really, really, really, really, REALLY wants that NRL audience.”

Many still felt that there are too few games in the competition with each team playing just 14 regular season matches.

“Please Super Rugby just play straight 20 rounds home and away with Quarters, Semis and Final. We need more games to build proper squad depth,” One fan wrote.

In despair, another fan wrote: “What has happened to my league man, look at what it has become.”

“What a mess! So much wrong…,” one fan wrote. “Too few games played – could have easily done proper H&A = 20 games. As for finals – best loser progresses. Have top 2 in semis, with 3v6 and 4v5. Yes, I’m bitter that @MelbourneRebels are out, but surely @SuperRugby could have done better here.”

An angry New Zealand reacted posting: “This should be the last super rugby season!!! I don’t see a reason why fans should turn up for the matches especially given the fact that tickets are so expensive and the quality of rugby is just average!! MAKE A F****KING CHANGE or keep losing.”


But there were some positive reactions.

“I’m a fan of the finals format. Just disappointing to see the only change made to the regular season is because of the uneven amount of teams. Was hoping for a longer season,” one remarked.

Another wrote: “Alright, I am in… 11 teams, 14 games for each team, 7 home games, 7 aways games. Can we start the season now?”

Many other rugby fans offered different format ideas they believe would work better.

“I would do the NFL playoff format – 1-7 qualify for playoffs, 2-7 play a wildcard weekend with 1 getting a bye into the semis, then the winners of wildcard weekend join 1 for the semis,” Thala Msutut wrote. “Gonna be interesting to monitor the losing team and how they go about things.”

@TheLooseH added: “Just me. But top two go straight to semi finals. 3rd to 6th playoff for the other two semi final spots. Reward the teams who finish in the top two with the carrots of home semi finals and an extra week of rest, ensuring teams go all out in every round, etc. Just me, though. Personally, not a fan of a team losing a knockout game and getting a second chance. That’s not what being in the knockout means.”

READ MORE:?Australia v All Blacks: Joe Schmidt ignores pleas to include overseas-based stars as Wallabies get timely double boost

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