Super Rugby revamps format for 2025 knock-out stages

The head of Super Rugby said Friday there would be new additions for the 2025 season including a six-team format in the knock-out stages and a "lucky loser" slot in the semifinals.

The changes come after the top competition for clubs in New Zealand and Australia was reduced to 11 teams following the demise of the debt-ridden Melbourne Rebels this year.

The 2025 season, which kicks off next February, has been expanded to 16 rounds with each team playing 14 matches and having two byes.

The top six teams in the table at the end of the regular season will qualify for the finals, held over three weekends.

The winners from the first three games in the knock-out stages will progress to the last four, joined by the highest-ranked losing team - the "lucky loser".

"We're particularly excited about the new finals series, which is designed to produce highly competitive matchups while still rewarding the teams that finish at the top of the table," Super Rugby chief Jack Mesley said in a statement.

There will also be three Sunday afternoon games next season, Mesley added. The fixtures draw has yet to be announced.

Blues are the reigning champions after hammering the Chiefs 41-10 in this year's grand final at Eden Park last June.