Super Rugby Pacific continues to limit the influence of TMOs as part of a broader push to speed up games and cut unnecessary stoppages.
Reducing breaks in play and increasing ball-in-play time have been identified as key priorities as Super Rugby enters its 30th year, Stuff.co.nz reports.
Even All Blacks legend Richie McCaw has publicly voiced frustration at frequent interruptions, describing repeated TMO interventions as a handbrake on the spectacle when speaking to media last November.
While the international game continues to grapple with heavy TMO involvement, Super Rugby Pacific administrators remain committed to the guidelines first introduced in 2023. Under those protocols, the TMO may intervene unprompted only if the referee has missed an act of serious foul play at yellow-card level or above, or a clear and obvious infringement in the build-up to a try. Any other review must be initiated by the referee.
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Alongside the tightened TMO remit, Super Rugby Pacific will also trial five law modifications aimed at further reducing stoppages, encouraging positive play and simplifying officiating:
- Referees will no longer be required to issue a yellow or red card when awarding a penalty try. Any additional sanction will be left to the referee’s discretion.
- Accidental offsides and teams delaying the release of the ball at the ruck will result in free kicks rather than scrums.
- Once a referee has called “use it” at a ruck, no additional players from the attacking team may join.
- Teams will be permitted to pass the ball back into their own half before kicking for a 50/22.
- Players will be allowed to take quick taps within one metre either side of the mark, or anywhere behind it, provided they are within the two-metre channel parallel to the touchline.
“These innovations reflect our ongoing commitment to deliver the most entertaining and engaging rugby competition in the world,” said Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley. “We want faster restarts, fewer stoppages and positive, attacking rugby.”
Super Rugby has also retained super point, with matches level at full-time decided by up to 10 minutes of extra time. The first team to score wins, with the match declared a draw if neither side breaks the deadlock during the extra-time period.
2026 Super Rugby Pacific squads
Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
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