Super Rugby Pacific say Tupou Vaa'i try should have been disallowed

Super Rugby Pacific officials have clarified that the decision to award Tupou Vaa’i a try during the 32nd minute of the Chiefs’ Round 1 clash against the Blues was incorrect.

While neither the referee Ben O’Keeffe nor the commentators took umbrage with Vaa’i’s effort, Super Rugby Pacific have had their say on the matter. The 6’6, 118kg All Blacks lock pointed with a finger to his head after leaping over a defender to score, as if to suggest he’d outthought his opponents, but it turns out the act was illegal.

Competition management confirmed the incident was reviewed post-match and determined the Chiefs forward had left the ground to avoid a tackle, rather than simply diving forward to score.

Simply put, the try should not have been awarded.

The ruling references World Rugby Clarification 3-2022, which states that while a player may dive forward to score, leaving the ground to avoid or hurdle a tackler constitutes dangerous play and must be sanctioned accordingly.

A statement reads: “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 Round 1 game against the Blues.

The @ChiefsRugby strike first through Tupou Vaa’i 👊

? Super Rugby Pacific. Every Match. Live & Exclusive.#StanSportAU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/x4HKnWsC8C

— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) February 14, 2026

“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.

“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.”

While the clarification has no bearing on the result or standings, it sends a message to the league that jumping over tackles, even in the act of scoring, is a no-no.