Moana Pasifika celebrate the winning try against the Reds. Photo: Getty Images / Fiona Goodall
Both the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika have been confirmed in the 11 franchise teams for the re-designed 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
No replacement team has been announced to replace the Melbourne Rebels.
The Rebels were axed from the competition at the end of this year's series due to financial issues.
Super Rugby announced the new format Friday, with matches kicking off on 14 February, a week earlier than previous years, to accommodate the additional round of Super Rugby Pacific action.
Super Rugby Pacific chief executive Jack Mesley said the new format is fan-focused.
"We're thrilled to reveal the revamped structure, some new features and the start date for the next season of Super Rugby Pacific," Mesley said.
"The fans are always front of mind and while the full draw will be released soon, we wanted to give them an early insight into what they can look forward to in 2025.
"The introduction of three Sunday afternoon fixtures will make it easier for families to experience the excitement of the Super Rugby Pacific, and we can look to build on that offering in future seasons.
"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."
There will be a six-team finals format, changed from the usual top eight format.
And the Super Round has been shelved, for at least a year.
There will be a 'lucky loser' in the six-team finals series, having the chance to advance into the semi-finals.
The season will move from 15 to 16 regular season rounds but teams will continue to play 14 matches with two byes.
Each team will face four opponents twice, and the six remaining tams once.
The inclusion of three Sunday afternoon games is family-focused, with a view to exploring additional Sunday fixtures moving forward.
The 11 franchise teams are ACT Brumbies, Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Fijian Drua, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force.
Every team will play seven home games and seven away games, with two byes allocated.
The top six teams on the table at the end of the regular season will qualify for the three-week Finals Series.
In week one of the Finals Series, Qualifying Finals will be 1 v 6, 2 v 5 and 3 v 4 with the higher-seeded teams to host.
The three winners of the Qualifying Finals will progress to the Semi-Finals and they will be joined by the highest-seeded losing team (the 'lucky loser'), who will drop one seeding for the Semi-Final draw.
Semi-Finals will then be played with the number one meeting the fourth top team, while teams finishing second and third clash in the other semi, with the higher-seeded teams to host.
The higher-seeded winner from the semi-finals will host the final.
2025 Super Rugby Pacific format:
- Finals Week 1: Qualifying finals -1st v 6th; 2nd v 5th; 3rd v 4th
- Finals Week 2: Semi-finals - 1st v 4th; 2nd v 3rd
- Finals Week 3: Grand final - 1st v 2nd
