Who will be the 'lucky loser' in new Super Rugby play-off format?
SPOTLIGHT: Six teams remain chasing the 2025 Super Rugby title and a new play-off format might have had fans scratching their heads.
Since the demotion of the Rebels, Super Rugby went from having 12 teams to 11 which required a structural change in the play-offs.
Previously, eight of the 12 sides could qualify for the quarterfinals, but that has changed in the 2025 season with the top six earning a spot to chase the trophy.
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Between 2012 and 2015 the qualifying process also stemmed from the top six on the table after the regular season.
The top two sides earned home semifinals and a week off with the team ranked third playing No.6 and team No.4 playing No.5 to advance to the semifinals.
The 2025 qualifying process for the semifinals is a bit more interesting.
The three winners from the qualifying finals will be joined in the semifinals by the highest-seeded losing team, coined the ‘lucky loser’.
The lucky loser will progress but drop one seeding for the semifinals, to ensure a qualifying final matchup is not repeated in week two of the Finals Series.
The final ladder positions have determined the initial Finals Series seedings: Chiefs (1), Crusaders (2), ACT Brumbies (3), Hurricanes (4), Queensland Reds (5), Blues (6).
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The qualifying finals are No.1 v No.6, No.2 v No.5, and No.3 v No.4, with the higher-seeded teams hosting.
The semifinals will be No.1 v No.4 and No.2 v No.3, with the higher-seeded teams to host.
The two winners of the semifinals will progress to the Final, which will be hosted by the higher-seeded team.
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SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC QUALIFYING FINALS 2025
