South African refereeing manager, Andre Watson, has revealed that he’d like to see the powers and jurisdiction of television match officials widened after a weekend mishap that saw Bulls prop Dean Greyling awarded a try illegally, due in no small part to the flawed protocol currently in place.
Under the current regulations, the referee has to ask the TMO a very clear question and the TMO may not stray outside of the bounds of what is asked, even if he can see clear evidence that would change the referee’s mind if only the former were allowed to share it. In this case, even though TMO Johann Meuwesen could clearly the see the double movement in Greyling’s “try-scoring” effort, he was powerless to communicate this fact to referee Craig Joubert, who had not asked him to look at that aspect.
Watson indicated to Die Burger newspaper that plans are afoot to increase the rights of the TMO and that this new system may even be trialled in the Currie Cup later this year.
“According to protocol from the IRB a referee is not allowed to respond to any additional information from the TMO which doesn’t relate to his original question. Johann wanted to give Craig extra information, because it clearly wasn’t a try. But both of them would have ended up in hot water.
“The problem started with Craig not spotting Greyling’s transgression. In this case the protocol led to the wrong decision being made and Craig has taken full responsibility,” Watson told the paper.
He went on to provide more information about the IRB’s planned amendment to the protocol.
“It will allow the TMO to point out foul play and to give additional information to prevent a situation like what happened at the weekend. If there is, for example, a forward pass which leads to a try 30 meters on, he’ll be able to point it out.
“I really hope the Currie Cup is one of the competitions in which the protocol will be tested. A decision will be made next month,” said Watson.
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Its about time that this is brought through.
They’ve been using it in league for years and with great success.
The incident over the weekend could have been cleared up very quickly with the correct call. What got me was that Joubert was in a good position to see but still insisted on the grounding …
Poor reffering from the WC final referee.
its by time sth is done, its cost us dearly against the Bull years ago
Good to see you were on the ball yesterday with your article Rob!! Saw this earlier this morning and thought ”that’ll make Robs day”!!!! 😉
I would like to see the TMO being used more to point out foul play
And I would like assistant refs to open their blooming eyes…and mouths sometimes!
@Ice (Comment 5) : ‘LIKE’
@Caratacus (Comment 3) : this is nothing new, watson is only echoeing what paddy o’brien said in november last year already.
IRB boss: Bigger role for
TMO
PUBLISHED: TUESDAY, 1.
NOVEMBER, 2011
International Rugby Board
referees boss Paddy O’Brien
says the authority of
television match officials is
likely to be extended on a
trial basis next year and
could be permanently
increased.
O’Brien said protocols were
currently being drafted which
would “extend the use” of TMOs in trial matches in both the
Northern and Southern
Hemispheres in 2012.
Television match officials
currently can only rule on
incidents in the in-goal area.
The new protocols would likely
extend their authority to the field
of play, allowing them to advise
the referee of foul play or forward
passes in the lead-up to a try.
@Ice (Comment 5) : For sure, there was so much off the ball stuff going on in the Sharks / Stormers game where the TJs could and should get involved but dont.
And next year we’ll see the TMO adjudicating the breakdown. This will double the game time and as a result double TV earnings. Otago will be saved! 😈
This is good, about time, but good none the less.