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Follow all the action from Super Rugby Pacific, one of the most exciting rugby union tournaments in the southern hemisphere. Launched in 2022 after the success of Super Rugby Aotearoa, Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, this updated Super Rugby format is packed with talented sides and top-level players.
Looking forward to the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season? Here at RugbyPass, you’ll discover everything there is to know about this tournament, including the latest matches, news and results. Browse below to find out more.
Super Rugby Pacific History
Introduced in 2022, Super Rugby Pacific is one of the newest international rugby competitions. Although it’s officially a Super Rugby tournament, Super Rugby Pacific was created following a restructure that included a new format and new teams. This updated tournament is contested by 12 teams: five from Australia and five from New Zealand, as well as Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika.
Although a relatively new tournament, the origins of Super Rugby Pacific date back to 1996, when the first Super 12 competition was held. This inaugural season involved 12 teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Ten years later in 2006, the tournament expanded for the first time and was renamed Super 14. There was an additional expansion in 2011 and the season became known as Super 15. Following this, Super Rugby briefly contained 18 teams between 2016 and 2017, before reverting back to being a 15-team tournament in 2018. This format remained until the coronavirus pandemic limited international travel.
Super Rugby Pacific Format
In Super Rugby Pacific, 12 teams compete in 14 games. Instead of being split into regional pools, each side faces the other teams once (either at home or away). The remaining three games for each side are then played on a regional basis, with an emphasis on derbies.
At the end of the regular Super Rugby Pacific season, the top eight sides qualify for the play-offs, where the first-ranked team play the eighth-ranked team, the second-ranked play the seventh-ranked, the third-ranked play the sixth-ranked and the fourth-ranked play the fifth-ranked. The higher ranked team hosts each play-off match.
FAQs
What is Super Rugby Pacific?
Super Rugby Pacific is an annual rugby union tournament contested in the southern hemisphere.
In 2022, the tournament began to use an updated format. Now, the competition features teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Previous versions of this prestigious tournament have included the Super 12, Super 14, Super 16 and Super Rugby.
When was the first edition of Super Rugby Pacific?
The first edition of Super Rugby Pacific took place in 2022. In the inaugural edition of the tournament, the Crusaders beat the Blues 21-7 in the final. However, the tournament itself dates all the way back to 1996, when it was known as the Super 12.
How many teams compete in Super Rugby Pacific?
Twelve teams compete in Super Rugby Pacific. These twelve sides comprise of five teams from Australia, five teams from New Zealand, one team from Fiji and one team from the Pacific Islands.
Which teams compete in Super Rugby Pacific?
The teams that compete in Super Rugby Pacific are:
- Australia: Brumbies, Melbourne Rebels, New South Wales Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Western Force - Fiji: Fijian Drua - Pacific Islands: Moana Pasifika - New Zealand: Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes
Which former teams no longer compete in Super Rugby Pacific?
There are 11 former teams that no longer compete in Super Rugby Pacific. This includes one team from Argentina, one from Japan and nine from South Africa:
- Argentina: Jaguares - Japan: Sunwolves - South Africa: Bulls, Cheetahs, Golden Cats, Griquas, Lions, Pumas, Sharks, Southern Kings and Stormers
Which team has won the most Super Rugby Pacific titles?
The Crusaders have won the most Super Rugby Pacific titles. Dating back to the tournament’s founding year in 1996, the Crusaders have won 11 Super Rugby competitions: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022.
What’s the format of Super Rugby Pacific?
Super Rugby Pacific follows a round robin format. The competition is organised into a single pool, with each team playing a total of 14 matches: 11 round-robin games and three further rivalry matches. The top eight sides then qualify for the quarter-finals and the successful teams progress to the semi-finals and the final.
When did Super Rugby become known as Super Rugby Pacific?
Super Rugby became known as Super Rugby Pacific in 2022. In 2021, it was announced that one team from Fiji and one side from the Pacific Islands would be joining the competition in 2022. As such, the tournament was rebranded to its current format.
