Following on their innovation drive, Super Rugby Pacific has set out its new law modifications for the new 2026 season which starts next weekend. They are all designed to further reduce stoppages, inspire positive play and, they say, simplify the officiating of the game.
All Super Rugby clubs, match officials and stakeholders, agreed with the moves, which covers five key innovations
- It will no longer be mandatory for the referee to issue a yellow or red card to a player on the defending team when awarding a penalty try. Any sanction will be at the discretion of the referee. (Law 8.3)
- Free kicks (not scrums) for accidental offsides and failure to use the ball after the “use it” call at rucks. (Law 10.5 and Law 15.17)
- Free kick for adding additional players to a ruck after the “use it” call. (Law 15.17)
- 50:22 can be gained if ball is passed back into their half before kicking (Law 18.8a)
- Quick taps will be allowed “near” the mark, not just on or behind it – one metre either side of the mark, or anywhere behind the mark, (Law 20.2)
TMO simplification
The competition has also re-committed to the guidelines first implemented in 2023 around the role of the Television Match Official (TMO). In Super Rugby Pacific the TMO only intervenes, unprompted, if the referee has overlooked an act of serious foul play (yellow card level or above), or a clear and obvious infringement leading to a try.
The assistance of the TMO at any other time can only be instigated by the referee, which both empowers the on-field match officials and improves the flow of the game.
Four minutes dead time saved
Over the last four years, more than four minutes of ‘dead time’ has been eradicated from Super Rugby Pacific games – a result of law innovation combined with strong intent from match officials.
Super Rugby Pacific CEO, Jack Mesley, said the competition was deserving of its reputation of being fan-focused and agile in driving the game forward. “These innovations for 2026 reflect the ongoing commitment of Super Rugby Pacific to deliver the most entertaining and engaging rugby competition in the world,” he said.
“From the members and fans, to the players and coaches, and the referees themselves, we continue to experience resounding support for the measured steps that we’re taking to refine the game.
“We want to be a competition that encourages quick taps and faster restarts, that cuts down on unnecessary stoppages, and that embraces positive, attacking rugby.
“Super Rugby Pacific will continue to work closely with World Rugby and our stakeholders to evolve the game and produce the best version of rugby, and to strongly advocate that the innovations that are clearly working in Super Rugby Pacific be adopted more widely.”
Super Point retained
Super Point has been retained for 2026, which sees teams contest an extra time period of up to ten minutes if scores are level at full-time.
The first team to score during Super Point wins the match, with the match declared a draw if neither team scores during the period of extra time.
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