Vern Cotter applauds Super Rugby but issues ‘not there yet’ verdict on World Rugby after All Blacks star’s unlawful try
Tupou Vaa'i and an inset of Blues head coach Vern Cotter
Blues head coach Vern Cotter has moved on from Tupou Vaa’i’s unlawful try in the opening weekend of Super Rugby Pacific but has praised the tournament organisers.
On Monday, Super Rugby Pacific issued a statement confirming that the Chiefs second-rower’s try before half-time should not have stood.
Super Rugby Pacific’s statement on ref error
“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 statement read.
“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.'”
Super Rugby Pacific statement: Legality of All Blacks star’s try in Chiefs’ win over Blues confirmed
Vern Cotter’s reaction to the unlawful try
Vaa’i’s score proved pivotal in the 15-19 victory over the Blues and while disappointed in the defeat, Cotter welcomed the transparency but says that his team has already shifted their focus to this weekend’s round two fixture against the Western Force.
“You get decisions for you and against you – and that one went against us,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“Unfortunately, the last game we played last year we had a decision that went against us as well, but it’s one of those things you just have to suck up and move on.
“We’re focusing on what we can do better. Retrospectively having those five points taken off and giving us a one-point win would be nice, but we’re not quite there yet with World Rugby and the way the game is ruled.”
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
He gave the tournament organisers their flowers though, saying: “But I think it’s really honest from them, and I applaud that. We applaud that type of attitude but we’ll just move on. I could go on and on about it but what’s done is done.”
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It’s very uncommon for bigwigs to issue such a statement on a referee decision, as it is often seen as opening the door to bash the officials but Cotter remained pragmatic and resisted any urge to lay into Ben O’Keeffe.
“I can go on about it, but what’s done is done. We just move on,” he added.
Blues skipper Dalton Papali’i followed suit, adding: “I’d say the referee has a tough job as it is. As captain I feel like you just need to challenge him, so I asked, and he said he felt it wasn’t dangerous. After that he calls try and you’ve got to move on.”
READ MORE: Snubbed All Blacks forward to swap Blues for Top 14 outfit at end of Super Rugby Pacific season
