What the competition is
The organiser’s format uses sixteen regular-season rounds to accommodate games and byes. The first finals week does not operate as three simple elimination matches: the highest-ranked losing team also advances under the published pathway. A conventional eight-team quarterfinal chart therefore gives the wrong explanation. This is separate from SANZAAR’s national-team Rugby Championship.
Following the competition
Keep the ladder position and finals match label when following a postseason result. A loss in the first finals week does not establish elimination without the ranking condition. For Australian entries, retain the host city and local date, since Pacific fixtures can cross several clocks and the date line. A bye is a schedule gap, not a cancelled result.
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 2026 field | Eleven teams. |
| Regular season | Fourteen games per club across sixteen rounds. |
| Finals | Six teams enter the published pathway. |
| Highest-ranked loser | A specific advancement rule after the first finals week. |
Questions about this guide
Does every first-week finals loser go out?
No. The highest-ranked losing side can advance under the format.
Is Super Rugby the same event as the Rugby Championship?
No. One is a club/franchise competition; the other is international.