Watson lauds TMO initiative
20 Sep 2012
Saru head of referees Andre Watson says the new TMO methods used in the Currie Cup have had a positive effect on the game.
The initiative allows the TMO to have a greater influence when reviewing a try-scoring act. It has been used frequently by the on-field officials during the Currie Cup campaign, with potential offences (like forward passes and obstruction) regularly being checked.
This is a positive move as there have been controversial calls made before because of the restriction on communication between referees and the TMO.
However, the new method has received mixed reactions from players and pundits
There have been complaints whether a TMO can actually call a forward pass if he doesn’t have the proper replay angles. The Sharks were also denied a potential match-winning try for obstruction at the death against Griquas in Kimberely, which saw the latter hold on for a 22-15 win. The foul occurred two phases before the try-scoring act, and it was a harsh call.
But Watson supports this development.
‘There have been some great calls, and few not-so-great calls,’ Watson told keo.co.za. ‘But overall, the initiative has been very successful. It’s only the beginning and the process will only get better with time.
‘The people who have complained do not understand the rules. In terms of the forward pass, the TMO does not need any specific angle or a measuring line to make the call – it depends on the direction the ball moves out of hand.
‘In terms of looking for transgressions during the build-up, the TMO is allowed to review everything that occurred in general play during the two phases before the try-scoring act. A phase includes all scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls.’
Watson added that if this TMO initiative continues to achieve successful results, it could feature at higher levels as soon as next season.
‘We will be discussing the overall results with the IRB. We are hoping that it could be used in Super Rugby next year. It’s a great development as a referee gets a proper review of a try-scoring act, which is the most influential part of the game. We want the right calls to be made.’
Meanwhile, Watson confirmed that match-day squads for Tests and Super Rugby games could increase to 23 players in the near future. Club games in Europe, the IRB Junior World Championship, South Africa’s provincial U19 tournament and the Varsity Cup have all allowed teams to field 23-man squads.
This has been good for the game as it allows coaches to have two props on the bench, which stamps out uncontested scrums.
‘This is something that’s being discussed. We still have to hear from the teams if they will back it, as it does mean they’ll need more players in their squad. This will have financial implications. From a law perspective, I do think it’s the way forward.’
By Gareth Duncan
23 Comments
20 Sep 2012, 09:37 am
Well I for one think this is going a little to far.
TMO’s have made some horrendous howlers after reviewing play from umpteen different angles, and here we have a call to allow them to make a decision on the fly.
20 Sep 2012, 09:38 am
I do however agree the TMO should be allowed to review tries all the way back to the last breakdown.
20 Sep 2012, 09:43 am
@Brads-2: I also think there is an argument for keeping tradition and seeing the ref as something that can be manipulated by clever teams, similar to cricket umpires. I know us saffa’s hate it but I see the way NZ play refs as clever rugby. We might just be a wee bit jealous that we don’t have the same nous.
20 Sep 2012, 09:43 am
Even worse than ijits like Veldsman “studying the angle of the hands”, is dimwits like Bros concurring with such rubbish. When they start pontificating on such blatant nonsense, I go out and pick up the dogshit off the lawn. It’s far more satisfying.
20 Sep 2012, 09:44 am
Meuswessen can finally make a call without overstepping his jurisdiction
filthy cheating scum..
20 Sep 2012, 09:47 am
@Skeppie-3: are you suggesting we are jaloors because we are dom?
20 Sep 2012, 09:48 am
@Transformation-6: forgot to log off this nic first..
eish
20 Sep 2012, 09:48 am
@Transformation-6: Absolutley, it seriously pains me to say it but we don’t exactly play smart rugby. We can maon all we like about Ritchie but he only plays what he sees in the ref, good on him. Instead of moaning we should be in the trenches doing what he does.
20 Sep 2012, 09:51 am
@Skeppie-3:
I agree.
If the TMO is allowed to make these calls he will by default be overruling the on field ref and his two assistants during general play.
Once that happens and mistakes continue, which they will, we will have calls for the TMO to be allowed time so he can review some dodgy play he thinks might be a foul.
This is Rugby not gridiron, where a 1 hour game last 4 hours.
20 Sep 2012, 09:54 am
Shocking descisions has been made by the TMO’s. Only rule when 100% sure, one look at replay should be enough, and if not 100% sure advantage must go to the attacking team.
20 Sep 2012, 09:58 am
I’m only half joking when I say that, if you truly want to use technology to get it right, you’ve got to fit a GPS device inside the ball to track its movement.
And while you’re at it, you can fit it with a tazer too. That way, if the ref has yelled hands off twice, he can hit a button on his watch and McCaw will quickly sit down on his arse.
20 Sep 2012, 10:01 am
@Mr Black-10:
Another opinion I agree with.
TMO’s seem to believe they have an obligation to make a decision, even where they are unsure and the call is 50 / 50.
If something is unclear they should return the decision to the on field ref who should have the gonads to make a call based on what he believed he saw.
20 Sep 2012, 10:04 am
ah well, so much more fan value being added once again.
the superrugby season just got about three weeks longer.
20 Sep 2012, 10:06 am
If it’s used correctly, I’m happy. But in one of the early games the Cheetahs had two calls against them (in one game) where there were obvious forward passes in the final movement of the , and when asked how the try was given the ref said that ONLY the last pass can be judged by the TMO. Two weeks ago it swung the other way around where the ref cancelled a try when the TMO said a pass (5 passes back) was forward.
Consistency Mr Refs. That’s all we ask.
Last week a try was not given for the Cheetahs when the ref said the pass went forward (long pass) because of the distance it went forward. Against the Sharks the try was given (even when it went 10m forward) because Bosman’s palm was showing backward. Was the same in last week’s game. In both games wind was a factor.
Consistency PLEASE Mr Refs!
20 Sep 2012, 10:09 am
@poppa69-7:
how does a moari (sic) know about eish?
20 Sep 2012, 10:12 am
In other words, if the TMO are to watch for forward passes they should be forced to play the entire last 2 phases’ video. In a few games one couldn’t help to get a bit suspicious when only the last pass was checked when the entire crowd knew the forward pass was in the same movement, but a few passes back.
20 Sep 2012, 10:15 am
@Transformation-15: imagine a Maori in Sydney knowing a few words of our taal
dit nie moontlik is
20 Sep 2012, 10:47 am
@katman-4:
Agree fully about that “angle of the hands” bollocks & used the opportunity to go make room for the next beer.
20 Sep 2012, 21:23 pm
This IRB initiative is terrible, it’s being trialled in the AP too, can we have our game back please?
20 Sep 2012, 22:10 pm
@Transformation-15:
Are you talking to yourself again?
21 Sep 2012, 02:21 am
….yet in Australian Rugby League they are not as enthusiastic about it as one Andre Watson . Now in the final stages of the ARL competition – which draws crowds of 50000 – 70000 – only last week blunders were made by the two TMO officials who have now been stood down . Despite the replay , they still get it wrong !! Now they are calling for the ref on the field to watch the replay on the big screen and make up his own mind. This issue has yet to be resolved . Watson needs to get an appreciation of the issues and problems with this system from those who have been using it for several years.The powers that be should talk to Australian Rugby League refs first.
21 Sep 2012, 07:19 am
The TMO can help pernalise Morne Steyn for aimless kicks and his general play blundering,imagine being a TMO ref with Greyling playing, there will be multiple of enfringements and thuggery in 30 seconds.
Greyling is amazing, by the time all of us blinked, he committed two penalty enfringements, right hooks McCaw yellow card.
Solidary and Afriforum were so furious, they wanted to go to the public protector to charge Greyling for unconstitutional play, the the realise Greyling was white, a Afrikaaner, plays for the Bulls and that the victims of his thuggery is white (Mccaw). The decided against the charges as it is not in the interest of protecting democracy for whites community.
21 Sep 2012, 11:34 am
When is it a forward pass? In some cases the ball clearly traveled forward, but the commentators harp on about the angle of the ball and the angle of the hands. I thought a forward pass is when the ball travels forward?
Yes, camera angles can be deceptive, but then use the lines on the field for reference. If a guy passes the ball in front of the line, and his teammate receives the ball after the line, that’s clearly forward.
If a running player passes and the ball stays level with him, it can only do so if travelling forward.
Its shocking the amount of forward passes that are allowed in games these days.
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