SANZAAR have – dare I say “once again” – tinkered with the Television Match Official (TMO) protocol ahead of this year’s Super Rugby competition. This year’s changes appear to be well-intentioned, with the major one being to once again put the onus on the on-field referee to make an initial call.
Here’s the press release explaining the changes. As with all things, I it will take some time and experimentation to see how well this actually works, but I’m hopeful that by forcing the ref to make an on-field call, which the TMO then needs to overturn, if he can, with solid evidence, we could aviod some of the howlers we’ve seen in recent years when the two men appear to not even be watching the same game, much less speaking the same language.
SANZAAR has today announced that it has made an amendment to the Television Match Official (TMO) protocol for the 2017 Super Rugby season.
The amendment reflects the emerging technology that is now available in terms of the number of camera angles and the use of split-screen television software. Plus SANZAAR’s desire to tighten the process and make it more accurate, more efficient and to reduce the time taken for the decision-making process.
So what is different in 2017?
Should the referee or one of his team (Assistant Referees or TMO), wish to initiate a review of a decision (via replay by the TMO), the referee will first state to the TMO his “on-field decision” based on his real-time view. The TMO will then review the given incident accordingly based on the referee’s assessment.
The TMO must be persuaded that the evidence is compelling before proving the on-field referee’s call wrong, and therefore overturning the call.
‘What’ can be referred for review remains the same as the World Rugby Protocol (no change). The “two phases back only” protocol still stands.
The only exception to this process is in the case of a potential foul play incident. The referee can choose to review the incident on the big screen (or request the TMO to review it if the replay screen is of poor quality) with no “on-field decision” prior to the review.
Commenting on the new protocol SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said, “The general consensus is that with the new technology and the protocol of a definitive “on-field call”, time is saved and the awkward conversation between referee and TMO that occurs from time to time is eliminated.”
“SANZAAR is confident this will enhance the fan’s match experience. This also aligns our sport’s process with that of almost all the other high performance sports, which use a television replay protocol.”
“In summary, this protocol change makes the process clean and efficient and places accountability for an “on-field call” in the hands of the referee and a review of that decision in the hands of the TMO,” added Marinos.
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I like these changes as it forces the onfield ref to take responsibility and actually ref the game and merely check things with the TMO. I think its one good forward step.
Yes must say I like it! Seems a lot like the cricket federal system.
@JD (Comment 2) : Yup I love a good federal system…
@pastorshark (Comment 3) : Seriously though…seems a sensible sort of step this…let’s see how it goes in practise…
@pastorshark (Comment 3) : Ag $h!£ auto correct!!! Should have been referral!
Would still like to see each captain or coach being allowed to ask for a review or two per game.
@vanmartin (Comment 6) : I’m on the fence about this. I think it’s a good idea in principle, but really worried about adding further stoppages to a game that is already feeling very “slow” as it is?
@robdylan (Comment 7) : One review per half that you don’t get to bank or keep. I’m willing to see 5 minutes sacrificed for that if it keeps refs on their toes and means games and tournaments aren’t decided on howlers. If we really want to speed up the game, let’s fix the scrums once and for all.
@robdylan (Comment 7) : @vanmartin (Comment 8) : personally I think one referral per team per game (keep it if correct lose it if wrong) will not slow down play that much. Limited to 2 or 3 replays and if no clear evidence is seen of a wrong decision play continues with original decision of the ref.
This is good. Very similar to what they do in the NFL.
Next they need to copy the PA move.
Referee faces the main stand, presses a button on his hip and talks in a god-like voice to everyone in the stadium and watching on television.: ” After further review, the original decision is confirmed. There was no infringement at the breakdown. Try Bulls!”
John Smit holds his head in his hands. Wacko Jaco proclaims the king. The rest is history.
@fyndraai (Comment 10) : hahaha all of that whilst Kurt Darren’s liefling is playing in the back ground!!!!
@JD (Comment 11) :
Liefling was a Ge Korsten song. Not?
@fyndraai (Comment 12) : Yup…