SANZAR consider extending use of TMO's

[TRF_Ezequiel]

SANZAR consider extending use of TMO's

SANZAR is investigating expanding the use of television technology in order to help match officials make the right calls at crucial times according to referees boss Lyndon Bray.

The three countries that make up SANZAR, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia will conduct a three-month long review of Super Rugby after the July 9 final and possibly make recommendations to the International Rugby Board.

The IRB hold an international brain-storming seminar at the end of every World Cup and all manner of suggestions for improving the game are put forward in these events.

Every country can make their own submissions but now that SANZAR have an office set up to represent them the three countries are likely to act together.

"Where we have a collective agreement, we go in with one voice," Bray told The Australian.

"It helps. There are two different ways it could go - the IRB could implement a change across the whole game or we might put it to the IRB that we would like to pilot a particular idea. But you need the sanction of the IRB."

Bray said that at is too early to predict what suggestions SANZAR could come up with but two incidents last weekend have added to calls for referees to be able to refer to a television match official (TMO) for guidance.

The highest profile incident was when South African assistant referee Pro Legoete reported a headbutt by Waratahs second-rower Pat O'Connor which left referee Craig Joubert with no option but to use the red card.

O'Connor was later exonerated as a SANZAR judiciary hearing found no evidence of a deliberate headbutt but the damage had been done as the Waratahs played the last 13 minutes of the match with 14 men.

In another incident Reds winger Digby Ioane was knocked out cold by a high shot from Brumbies number eight Ita Vaea that was not spotted by the officials at the time.

The match referee Garratt Williamson and the sideline official would have had plenty of time to review the incident as it was replayed repeatedly on the big screen at Suncorp Stadium while Ioane was driven from the field.

The day after the match Vaea was suspended for a week for the incident but the process could have been speeded up if officials were allowed to act on video evidence on the spot.

"These are definitely the sorts of things we'll continue to look at but we've got to be careful we don't reach a point where the TMO becomes a referral point for just about everything," Bray said.

"Where does it stop?"

Bray admitted that referees were aware that their decisions could have massive ramifications on a team's fortune as one wrong call could cost a team a home play off.

"But refs have to go out and focus on their decisions," Bray said. "They can't keep an eye on the big picture."

http://superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=30729

This should be interesting...

 

[lynam1104]

hmmm maybe but how far can you go...

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

We had this discussion after the Wales-Ireland match in the Six Nations earlier this year. To me, going back max. 3 phases is the limit.

Another option is to give coaches 2 time-outs in a match where they can call in the TMO for a decision other than try/no try

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If they extend it it should be one phase, that's it (imo)
Much like in league where they can go back to the last play-the-ball

 

[ZeFrenchy]

The TMO should be able to comminucate foul play (or lack thereof) without even being asked, just like touch judges.

For the try-or-no-try, they should have absolute discretion, pretty much as it is the referee's discretion for how long to give an advantage.

Also, the cards should be reviewed during the halftime break.

With these three, no red card for non-existing headbutt, no try for Wals, no try for France (2007 RWC), red card for Manu Tuilagi and no unnecessary interruptions

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Reviewing incidents at half time is not going to work because what happens with a red card given after 42 minutes (2 minutes in the 2nd half)?

 

[Seaton]

There should be a panel of TMO officials at every game. They can each watch individual screens, viewing different angles.

As soon as they see something that the ref didn't pick up, they blow/ whatever a siren/ really loud whistle, the game stops and they tell the ref what he/she/ they saw.
Action is taken, game continues.

If this was implemented, Test Match Cricket will have a true rival...