The fixtures for the Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Finals have been confirmed after the regular season concluded on Saturday.
Two of the venues had already been decided prior to the weekend with the Hurricanes and Chiefs locked in at first and second respectively, but their opposition had not been decided.
However, after the Reds overcame the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika stunned the Brumbies the Australian outfit switched positions and therefore swapped opponents.
The Canberra-based team will duly travel to New Zealand’s capital to take on the ‘Canes at Hnry Stadium and they will kick off the knockout stages on Friday night.
The North Island is also the destination for the Reds as they head to Waikato for their encounter with the Chiefs in the final match of the round.
Earlier on Saturday will see the all-New Zealand clash between the Crusaders and Blues after the defending champions overtook the Aucklanders in the table.
Vern Cotter’s men were in a commanding position going into the final three matches but heavy defeats to the Crusaders, Hurricanes and Chiefs, allied by an impressive run by Rob Penney’s charges, who followed up that success over the Blues with victories over Super Rugby’s top-two teams, meant the sides swapped positions in the standings.
Chiefs v Blues: Five takeaways as out-half bounces back from ‘blame game’ to leave visitors enduring a ‘damaging surrender’
Super Rugby play-off rules changed
Whatever happens in the Qualifying Finals, the Hurricanes are guaranteed their place in the semi-finals.
The system sees the winners from the three matches advance to the last-four, as well as the best-placed loser. That means the Wellington outfit will automatically go into the semis due to being the top seed even if the Brumbies triumph at Hnry Stadium.
Super Rugby organisers have changed the rules, however, with the ‘Canes having to go away from home should they succumb next weekend.
In 2025, the Chiefs ended as the number one side following the regular season but, despite going down to the sixth place Blues, they still had a match at FMG Stadium Waikato in the semi-finals, which they won.
They did have to go away to the Crusaders in the showpiece event after defeating the Brumbies but, following the uproar that situation caused, it was altered.
Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Finals
Hurricanes (1) v Brumbies (6)
Date: Friday, June 5
Venue: Hnry Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19:05 NZST (17:05 AEST, 08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
TV coverage: Sky Sport NZ, Stan Sport, SuperSport, Sky Sports (UK), ESPN, Canal +
Crusaders (3) v Blues (4)
Date: Saturday, June 6
Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch,
Kick-off: 16:35 NZST (14:35 AEST, 05:35 BST, 04:35 GMT)
TV coverage: Sky Sport NZ, Stan Sport, SuperSport, Sky Sports (UK), ESPN, Canal +
Chiefs (2) v Reds (5)
Date: Saturday, June 6
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-off: 19:05 NZST (17:05 AEST, 08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
TV coverage: Sky Sport NZ, Stan Sport, SuperSport, Sky Sports (UK), ESPN, Canal +
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