Super Rugby Pacific statement: Legality of All Blacks star’s try in Chiefs’ win over Blues confirmed
All Blacks utility forward Tupou Vaa'i in action for the Chiefs.
Super Rugby Pacific officials have admitted that a try scored by All Blacks star Tupou Vaa’i for the Chiefs in his side’s win over the Blues on Saturday should not have been awarded.
The Hamilton-based outfit got their campaign off to a positive start when they clinched a hard-fought 19-15 victory over the Blues at Eden Park in Auckland.
Big talking point
However, the big talking point after the game was second-rower Vaa’i‘s try which was scored in the 31st minute when he took a swan dive over two players from close range on his way over the try-line.
Referee Ben O’Keeffe had no hassles in awarding the try but now Super Rugby Pacific have issued a statement in which they say that the wrong decision was made.
“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,” read the statement from the governing body.
“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.
‘This is dangerous play’
“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.’
Snubbed All Blacks forward to swap Blues for Top 14 outfit at end of Super Rugby Pacific season
There has been plenty of reaction on social media with Alex Lowe, who is the rugby correspondent for The Times, saying on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Tupou Vaa’i emulates Dan Sheehan’s Superman try for the Lions – but Super Rugby officials issue a statement saying it should not have stood.
‘Vaa’i’s actions constituted leaving the ground to avoid a tackle, rather than diving forward to score a try’.
“Legal or illegal finish?”
Tupou Vaa’i emulates Dan Sheehan’s Superman try for the Lions – but Super Rugby officials issue a statement saying it should not have stood.
“Vaa’i’s actions constituted leaving the ground to avoid a tackle, rather than diving forward to score a try”
Legal or illegal finish? https://t.co/5LnnacDNy9
— Alex Lowe 📰 (@AlexMLowe) February 16, 2026
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Meanwhile, fellow journalist Elliot Smith, who is the lead commentator for Newstalk ZB’s ‘Rugby Direct’ podcast said: “Super Rugby Pacific say Tupou Vaa’i’s try vs the Blues should have been disallowed on Saturday.”
Another X user, Harrison Dale, simply said: “There you have it!”.