Faster footy is coming: Here’s your guide to Super Rugby Pacific's new 2026 laws and what they mean for the game
Super Rugby Pacific has locked in five law innovations for the 2026 season, all designed with one clear goal in mind: to keep the game fast, positive and exciting for everyone watching.
For us, it means faster restarts, fewer stoppages and more chances to play with tempo which all suit the way we love to play.
Across the competition there’s been strong support from clubs, referees and fans for moving the game forward.
These tweaks build on that momentum, keeping Super Rugby Pacific entertaining and fan‑focused, while making life simpler for match officials.
Here’s a closer look at what’s changing:
Penalty tries now sit entirely with referee discretion
In 2026, referees won’t be required to issue a yellow or red card when awarding a penalty try. The decision is now fully discretionary. It’s a small change, but one that allows refs to judge each moment on its merits and keeps the game flowing.
More free kicks, fewer scrum resets
Accidental offsides or delays in clearing the ball from a ruck will now lead to a free kick rather than a scrum. It means less time resetting, more time playing, and more opportunities to launch something quickly.
No joining the ruck after “use it”
Once the referee calls “use it”, no additional players from the attacking team can join the ruck. This is all about clarity and tidying up those messy moments that slow the game down.
New flexibility around the 50:22
Teams can now pass the ball back into their own half before attempting a 50:22 kick. It opens the door for smarter attacking sequences and encourages teams to find space with skill and intent.
Quick taps get quicker
Players will be able to take quick taps within one metre either side of the mark, or anywhere behind it within that two‑metre channel along the touchline. Expect more instinctive play, more opportunistic strikes and more pressure on teams who aren’t switched on.
Streamlined TMO process continues
Super Rugby Pacific is reaffirming the TMO guidelines introduced in 2023. The TMO will only step in unprompted for two situations:
• serious foul play that rises to yellow‑card level or higher
• clear and obvious infringements that directly lead to a try
Everything else stays with the referee. This empowers the on‑field officials and cuts down on long delays, keeping the game moving for players and fans.
Super Point and Finals Series tweaks
Super Point stays for 2026: if scores are level at full-time, there will be ten minutes of extra 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.
The six‑team Finals Series format also returns, with one small but important adjustment to the ‘lucky loser’ mechanic. The highest‑ranked losing team from the Qualifying Finals will now progress as fourth seed, ensuring they play away in the Semi‑Finals and Grand Final should they make it that far.
Why this matters for us
These innovations are all pointing in the same direction – faster restarts, fewer stoppages and more attacking rugby. That’s the kind of footy our fans love, and it’s the style we’re proud to play.
We’ve been working hard over the pre-season on getting our heads around these changes, and having designated referee support for every club in 2026 is a big step.
We’ve been working closely with Todd Petrie throughout pre‑season to understand the fine detail and make sure we’re adapting quickly.
“The coaching group and the whole organisation have been so welcoming from the start and making me feel a part of the group,” says Todd.
“Right from the get-go, the coaches have wanted to know and understand these law variations, I've also done some presentations to the playing group and there’s been lots of questions from them and they’re really trying to get a good level of detail before the first game about these new laws.
“On field, it’s been really good for me to be able to run round with the guys and referee with these new laws as well.”
Petrie says these changes will speed up the game even more.
“There’s no doubt there will be a lot more free kicks, a lot more tap and go and players just wanting to play the ball, it’s going to be exciting for people to watch.
“I’m really excited to see how teams use these rules – I think the new flexibility around the 50:22 will really open things up, and it’ll be interesting to see team’s strategies. We’re expecting a lot of running rugby - it should be good and create even more interest in Super Rugby,” says Petrie.
Super Rugby Pacific is leading the way with this innovation, and we’re excited to play under these tweaks.
2026 is another step toward a faster, more free‑flowing version of the game. We’re ready for it – and we can’t wait to bring our fans along for the ride.
