r/superrugby • u/Yewwnoonoo • Jun 03 '25

Am I right in thinking… Chiefs Vs Blues two weeks in a row?

Have been looking at the new Super Rugby play-off format and from what I’ve read, the Chiefs could potentially play the Blues two weeks in a row?

New format:

After Round 16 - A three-week Finals series: playoff format involving the top six teams on the overall competition table with qualifying finals, semis and final as follows: Qualifying finals – 1 (Chiefs) v 6 (Blues), 2 (Crusaders) v 5 (Reds), 3 (Brumbies) v 4 (Canes) with the top-ranked team hosting Semi-Finals – three qualifying winners plus highest ranked loser: Teams re-ranked with 1 v 4 and 2 v 3 Final – top-ranked semi-final winner hosts the other semi-final winner.

Scenario 1: So, if Blues were to beat the Chiefs, would the Blues then play the Chiefs again the next week as Chiefs were the highest ranking loser and Blues came bottom of the league, thus 4th place in the semi final?

Or

Scenario 2: Would the Chiefs become highest ranked loser ( number 4) and Blues then move into number 3 spot playing number 2 spot?

Seems odd that we could beat Chiefs in the QF only to play them again in the SF.

Interested to hear everyone’s take on it.

Cheers!

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13

u/Nickad6 Jun 03 '25

I believe the chiefs if they lose will drop down one position to 2nd.

The crusaders will go up to 1st

The blues will stay 4th

So it will crusaders vs blues

5

u/Yewwnoonoo Jun 03 '25

Just read an article by Stuff and I think you’re correct! Thanks :)

2

u/Teedubthegreat Jun 03 '25

If that's the case, what happens if both the crusaders and chiefs lose? Does that mean chiefs (1) drop to 2nd, Brumbies (3) go to first, Reds (5) go 3rd and Blues (6) go 4th?

Kinda seems wrong that losing a quarter final still gets you a home semi

3

u/ChartComprehensive59 Jun 03 '25 edited Jun 03 '25

Wouldn't that put the Chiefs at 4th? Blues 3rd. So they would both play new teams. Unless they just rerank the teams only in table order, not counting the highest ranked loser as 4th.

Edit: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360685967/how-super-rugby-pacific-playoffs-work-and-who-will-be-lucky-loser

Edit again: If that provides three of the four semifinalists, how will the fourth be decided?

The three winning sides will be joined in the semis by the highest seeded losing team – the 'lucky loser'. That team will progress but will drop one seeding for the semis draw, which ensures a qualifying final match-up is not repeated in the semis

2

u/Ok-Perception-3129 Jun 03 '25

Could be Blues v Chiefs in the QF and the Final but not the semi final.

2

u/Desperate_Top_7039 Jun 03 '25

I don't like this format.

If I'm understanding correctly, Chiefs advance to semifinals no matter what, since at worst they will automatically be the highest ranked loser. Sure, they are playing for home field in the semis, but a playoff game should have more on the line.

There has to have been a better solution than this.

2

u/Cardinalfan1526 Jun 03 '25

Chiefs and Crusaders should get a bye round 1

1

u/TrickyIssue2590 Jun 05 '25

Blues need to choke and be done with the season. I do not want them to progress.