Source link : https://rugby-247.com/2024/09/30/ranking-each-teams-super-rugby-pacific-2025-draw/
Draws are the type of announcements that will always get people talking about how their respective team fared and what the road to the finals looks like.
You rarely get every fan happy with the predicament they find themselves in such is the delicate beast of keeping 11 teams happy.
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With this in mind, Rugby.com.au has broken down each team’s fixtures using the strength of the schedule, combining the win record of every opposition from 2023 (excluding the Melbourne Rebels).
This is far from an exact science with factors such as travel involved (which we’ll get to with a certain team out west) but gives a rough idea of what to expect.
1st toughest – Crusaders (Average win % of op in 2024 – 57.5%)
Teams played twice: Chiefs, Blues, Hurricanes, Highlanders
After a nightmare season, the road doesn’t get easier for Rob Penney in 2025.
They hold the unique distinction of having to play three of the top four sides twice after they missed the finals in 2024.
It’s a rough start for last year’s surprise packets as they open their season against the Hurricanes and Blues.
On top of this, they face a tough trip to Fiji and a final round match in Canberra against the Brumbies.
Yikes
2nd hardest – Moana Pasifika (Average win % of op – 57.0%)
Teams played twice: Chiefs, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Blues
Like the Crusaders, they will have to deal with heavyweights Chiefs and Hurricanes twice.
Ardie Savea will start his campaign with the new side with a pair of matches in Australia following a return to NZ to face the Highlanders and old side Hurricanes.
Their trip to Tonga in Round Six is a highlight of the schedule.
3rd hardest – NSW Waratahs (Average win % of op – 53.0%)
Teams played twice: Drua, Force, Brumbies, Reds
This can largely be attributed to their struggles in 2024, winning just twice.
Even still, it’s a start Dan McKellar will be quietly happy with as they host the Highlanders, Drua and Force.
However, the pressure looms towards the back end, where their schedule really ramps up.
Their final five games includes matches against the Brumbies, Reds, Crusaders and Blues to go with a trip to Perth
4th hardest – Western Force (Average win % of op – 50.8%)
Teams played twice: Waratahs, Brumbies, Reds, Drua
This is where the numbers don’t account for everything.
The Western Force’s draw is great from a commercial perspective, with nine games on free-to-air.
The counter is it’s a nightmare for high-performance, with the Force suggesting they will spend 48,000 kilometres on the road.
Their final four games see them travelling back and forth from Perth to NZ via a trip to Fiji
It’s imperative they win early and often at HBF Park.
5th hardest – Highlanders (Average win % of op – 50.4%)
Teams played twice: Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders, Pasifika
Whilst the numbers don’t suggest, this could be a real tough run for the boys from Dunedin.
Another team blessed with the luck of facing the Chiefs and Hurricanes twice, they then have to deal with a Crusaders side hungry to prove last year was a one off twice.
They’ll enjoy the chance to play every NZ team in front of ‘the Zoo.’
However, the prospect of having to beat the Chiefs to qualify for the finals is daunting.
6th hardest – Drua (Average win % of op – 49.2%)
Teams played twice: Brumbies, Waratahs, Force, Reds
The Drua will once again be banking on turning Fiji into a fortress.
They start with the Valetini derby in Suva before heading on the road for the majority of the first half of the season.
However, it sets up a great stretch to finish the competition with four home games in the final six games.
This includes clashes with the Reds, Blues, Waratahs and Force
7th hardest – Chiefs (Average win % of op – 48.2%)
Teams played twice: Highlanders, Moana Pasifika, Crusaders, Blues
The Chiefs will have a target on round one as they become their quest to go one better in 2024.
They have a relatively tough start that includes clashes with the defending champs, followed by the Crusaders, Brumbies, Drua in Fiji and another Blues match.
Following that, it sets up real nice for the Chiefs to make a real run for the finals.
The Hurricanes in round 12 looms as their toughest.
8th hardest – Reds (Average win % of op – 48%)
Teams played twice: Drua, Force, Waratahs, Brumbies
The Reds have the chance to build real momentum off the back of their opening-round bye.
They face all four sides that missed the finals in 2024 before taking on the Highlanders.
It’s a tougher run home that includes back-to-back games with the Brumbies and Hurricanes.
But they’ll relish the chance at facing rivals Waratahs twice, including a home clash in round five
9th hardest – Blues (Average win % of op – 47.6%)
Teams played twice: Chiefs, Crusaders, Moana Pasifika, Hurricanes
The Blues will need to be on their game early with a tough five games stretch to start the year.
They face the Chiefs twice and a big game against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
From here, there are still tough road tries to Fiji and up the road against Moana Pasifika.
But it’s a draw they will not fear after last year’s success
10th hardest – Hurricanes (Average win % of op – 46.5%)
Teams played twice: Blues, Moana Pasifika, Crusaders, Highlanders
The Hurricanes will have a prime opportunity to launch at the 2024 title.
Crusaders and Blues will be tough in the first three weeks but their draw opens up from here.
All eyes will be round four when they face old mate Ardie Savea in Wellington.
They finish their season with the Highlanders and Moana Pasifika in the final three games.
11th hardest – Brumbies (Average win % of op – 43.3%)
Teams played twice: Drua, Waratahs, Reds, Force
Another case of the numbers not presenting the full picture.
Let’s break down the four teams they play twice: Two of their biggest rivals (one who has undergone a major squad overhaul) and two of the toughtest away trips in Super Rugby.
It doesn’t scream easy run.
Combined with away trips to face the Chiefs and Blues and Stephen Larkham’s side will have to be on their game.
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The post Ranking each team’s Super Rugby Pacific 2025 Draw first appeared on Rugby 247.
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2024-09-30 07:38:12
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