Super Rugby admits game-changing try should not have stood
SPOTLIGHT: There will be some upset supporters after a try was wrongly awarded to the winning side following a close contest in Round One of Super Rugby Pacific.
Super Rugby Pacific management has reviewed the decision to award a try to Chiefs player Tupou Vaa’i in the 32nd minute of Saturday’s opening round game against the Blues.
The review concluded that Vaa’i’s actions constituted leaving the ground to avoid a tackle, rather than simply diving forward to score a try, and that as a result the try should not have been awarded.
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The relevant law provision is World Rugby Clarification 3-2022:
“In principle, in a try-scoring situation, if the action is deemed to be a dive forward for a try, then it should be permitted.
“If a player is deemed to have left the ground to avoid a tackle, or to jump, or hurdle a potential tackler, then this is dangerous play and should be sanctioned accordingly.”
The Blues, following the controversial defeat, are in seventh place in the standings, whilst the 2025 losing finalists Chiefs are in fourth.
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The Chiefs have another tough task ahead in Round Two when they’ll travel to Dunedin to face Jamie Joseph’s Highlanders, who recorded an upset win over defending champions Crusaders in Round One.
The Blues will make the trip across the Tasman to Perth where they’ll take on a hurting Western Force side who were thrashed by the Brumbies last week.
