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Leading Kiwi whistleblower endorses new Super Rugby rule innovations
Sport Nation ⢠ February 3rd, 2026 12:51 pm
Ben O'Keeffe during the 2023 RWC | Photo: Photosport
The raft of Super Rugby rule innovations for 2026 have received a ringing endorsement from perhaps the ultimate source.
On Monday, the competition announced a set of changes for the upcoming season designed to speed up play, reduce stoppages and make the game easier to officiate.
Leading NZ Test referee Ben O'Keeffe has had a chance to see some of the new rules in game situations and admits he's been impressed by what he's seen.
"I think it's great. Really exciting," O'Keeffe told Sport Nation's Scotty & Izzy.Â
"Like a lot of us referees, we had a pre-season run out last weekend where we got to sort of see some of the innovations as they were in the game and they're great.Â
"Over the last few years, Super Rugby has really tried to look at the game, where we can improve and just bring in these subtle law changes that in some ways, World Rugby sometimes follows our lead."
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Among the initiatives are the introduction of discretionary sanctions for penalty tries, reducing scrums in favor of free kicks for minor infringements (like accidental offside), and capping team involvement at rucks.
A reduction in the use of the TMO has been deemed another priority for the competition.
Instead of using it to ensure all on-field decisions are correct, it will now act as more of a "safety net", O'Keeffe explains.Â
"The safety net is a really big importance. Those moments in the game where it happens too quickly or, you know as a lead-up and a try, there is a knock-on, you know we get those decisions correct.Â
"That's not for every stoppage in the game, where every moment, the TMO needs to be looking at it over with a fine tooth comb trying to get it perfect. I think that's where we're changing. We're trying to go in the right direction.Â
"That's what Super Rugby's done, where they've said you can only come in for things that are clear and obvious. If it's foul play it's got to be at least a yellow card offence. Everything else has got to be for the on-field team of officials to get.
"I think if we if do that on-field then there's going to be less TMO, and I'm hoping that's what you'll see this year in Super Rugby."Â
The Super Rugby Pacific season kicks off on February 13, with the Highlanders hosting the Crusaders.
Listen to the full interview below:
