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Talks about the new playoff format of SuperRugbyPacific

penaltytry

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Feb 27, 2025
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The new playoff format is this one, where 6 top teams advance:



As far as I understand, the reseeding in semifinals is made before the lowering of 1 seed of the team that loses in the Qualifying Finals.

Therefore:

A is team that finishes 1st​ in regular season, B 2nd​…and F 6th​
Between parenthese the reseeding. 1 has homefield advantage in the final and 4 never has it.
Pairings in semi-finals according the winners in qualifying final.


  • ABC A(1) VS D (4) , B(2) VS C(3)
  • ABD A(1) VS C(4), B (2) VS D(3)
  • AEC A(1) VS E(4), C(2) VS B(3)
  • AED A(1) VS E(4), C(2) VS B(3)
  • FBC B(1) VS F(4), A(2) VS C(3)
  • FBD B(1) VS F(4), A(2) VS D(3)
  • FEC C(1) VS F(4), A(2) VS E(3)
  • FED D(1) VS F(4), A(2) VS E(3)

If this is correct, as far I understand.

A (the team that finishes in 1st place) has a guaranteed spot in semi-finals, however has something in play in the qualifying final: if wins this match, will have an easier opponent in semis (the weakest remaining team) and will guarantee to play the final at home. If it loses, will play a harder opponent in semi and could play the final away. If all matches are 50/50, will be champion 25% of times.

B (the team that finishes in 2nd place) can only be eliminated in week 1 if loses and also the team that ended 1st in regular season loses. Even if 1 plays earlier and wins its match is important for seeding purposes, due to a loss makes that can´t play a semifinal at home, meanwhile a win guarantees it. If all matches are 50/50, will be champion 18.75% of times.

C/d (the team that finishes in 3rd and 4th places): They play between them, and the only difference (not minor) is that this match in C field. They are eliminated if loses and one of the two best seeds also lose. Even if 1 and 2 win their match, they will have something in play, the winner will have an easier opponent in semifinals and it will have a possibility to host the final. If all matches are 50/50, each of them will be champion 15.625% of times

E/F (the teams that finish 5th and 6th places): They play single elimination in this tournament, they start virtually in a quarter-finals. They win: continue in tournament; they lose, they go home. 5th is slightly better than 6th due to a less hard opponent in week 1 (2nd instead 1st) and a chance to host the final, if both lowest seeds reach it. If all matches are 50/50, each of them will be champion 12.5% of times


As a summary, I think it is a very good format, one of the best for 6 teams, along Second McIntyre Final Six. I like Super Rugby uses this format instead the old with 8 teams, even this is a little bit complicated.
 

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