The 2021 Super Rugby Aotearoa season saw further law variations, furthering those brought in during the
2020 season. Goal-line drop outs were brought in for when an attacking player was held up or knocked the ball on in goal. When a kick was forced in goal by the defending team then a goal-line drop out would also take place. These rules were used successfully in the Australian
2020 Super Rugby AU season. Extra time was also used again in 2021, again consisting of a 10-minute period, however differing from the
2021 Super Rugby AU season, the team scoring the first points of any kind in this period would win the match. A captain's referral was also brought in for 2021, similar to those used successfully in cricket and tennis, with New Zealand Rugby becoming the first to trial it in rugby union. Each team was allowed one referral per match which could be used in one of three scenarios: a decision occurring in the final five minutes of a match, an offence in the build up to a try being scored or an act of foul play. All other law variations from the 2020 season were again used in the 2021 season. == Standings ==