The rule was introduced this year as part of a new six-team playoffs format, allowing the highest-seeded side that loses in the first week of the finals to advance to the semis.
Although the rule included a penalty for the lucky loser to drop one seed, it meant the top-seeded Chiefs were awarded a home semi-final against the third-seeded ACT Brumbies after losing 20-19 to the Auckland Blues.
The Brumbies, forced to travel to Hamilton despite beating the Wellington Hurricanes in the first week of the playoffs, lost 37-17 to the Chiefs.
With no Australian team having ever won a Super Rugby playoff in New Zealand, the lucky loser rule was viewed dimly by Australian fans and media.
It will not be repeated, though, with the lucky loser to take the fourth seeding, ensuring they play away in the semi-finals and in the Grand Final should they advance to the title-decider.
"Fan feedback has helped inform a tweak of the 'lucky loser' mechanic introduced to the competition's Finals Series last season," Super Rugby Pacific said in a press release on Thursday after confirming the draw for the 2026 season.
The draw confirmed fixtures for the 'Super Round' which returns after a year off and will be played entirely in Christchurch in the 11th round.
The defending champion Canterbury Crusaders will show off their new roofed home stadium when they face the NSW Waratahs in the opening match of the round on April 24.
Perth-based Western Force, who flew some 50,000 km in 2025 and finished ninth in the 11-team competition, were given a bye for the Super Round.