I’ve been thinking about the referee siutation in Rugby. Referees, video referees, and linesmen are a touchy subject. I’ve seen a few ideas being floated such as Henry’s substitute-ref idea, dual referees, and so on. I would like to add one more: status quo but with enhanced video referee powers.
Firstly, let me state that I believe in a system with one on-field referee, with the ability to give a final decision as sacrosanct.
However, I believe the referee could be significantly aided by having a video referee, or referees who act in much the same way as the touch judges are meant to; that is, to raise flags and provide information to the referee.
Where I would like the video referee’s powers to be extended, however, is the ability to send messages to the on-field referee ‘live’ in instances which warrant it, and a second type of message akin to the linesman’s ‘flag out’.
The ‘live’ message, let’s call it a level 1 message, would be sent when, and only when, there has been an incident that goes unnoticed by the on-field referee, and is of such severity as to greatly impact the result of the game, or is dangerous. This type of message would interrupt the on-field referee and cause him to stop the game.
The ‘flag out’ type message, let’s call it a level 2 message, would be sent during a break or pause in the game and would not interrupt the game.
Level 1 type incidents which have not been seen by the on-field referee and warrant stopping the game: head high tackle, eye gouging, punch to the balls, blatant forward pass which preceded a try scored (within the last six passes or so), player held back which either prevented a try from being scored or prevented the defence of a try, severe scrum infringements, and so on.
Level 2 type incidents which the video referee would like to inform the on-field ref of, but do not warrant the immediate stoppage of the game: consistent offside by players, deliberate illegal acts by players which are putting their opposition at a disadvantage, minor skirmishes, accidental high tackles that deserve a warning but nothing more, scrum infringements that deserve mention but are not materially affecting the current scrum, etc.
The on-field referee would receive the messages on a wrist band-type device with a vibrating alarm and would be audible through the earpiece setup.
Level 1 messages would allow the video ref to talk to the on-field ref immediately and tell him to blow the whistle.
Level 2 messages would just ‘sit there’ like an sms and the on-field ref could communicate with the video ref at his moment of choosing.
Cameras angles should cover both sides of the scrum and be done such that sufficient clarity is given to the video referee to act as a partner to the on-field ref; ie, police the side that the on-field referee cannot see.
Cattledog
Guest
Agree it's about time the TMO ruled on more aspects of the game. Especially when it comes to illegal play, but also, 'is there any reason I can't award this try'...yes, you knobber, there was a forward pass three phases back!! Let's agree the ref misses some crucial aspects. The only reason these aren't allowed to be adjudicated on is it would show the referee as being incorrect. Shock horror, you mean the guys fallible? Let's get real, accept the referees job is not easy and give him some assistance, for heaven's sake. We have the technology, let's use the bloody stuff!!
Cattledog
Guest
Correct!
Joh4Canberra
Roar Rookie
But surely that was a problem with the audio between the TMO and the match referee. Everyone watching on TV knew it went over and I'm sure that after viewing the video the TMO also came to that conclusion very promptly. The problem was that once he'd come to that conclusion he couldn't communicate it to the referee because of problems with the audio equipment.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Totally agree GavinH about the TMO delays and the effect in has. As an example, personally I thought the delay in awarding that Azzuri penalty kick against the Wallabies (when every man and his dog knew it went over) was bordering on Keystone Cop comedy.
GavinH
Guest
Agree that in general its time to take another look at the TMO responsibilities. It gets ridiculous when you have a video ref awarding a match winning try to the kiwis in the 4N league after reviewing a play containing about a 10m forward pass! I think the key to it though is speeding up the review process as nobody enjoys the interminable waits that often occur during TMO reviews. As well as quick provision of camera angles, perhaps you would need more than 1 TMO to review different angles as they come in. As another slight hijack: is sth hemisphere rugby (and RWC11 in particular) going to have the fantastic super slow motion shots the SKY UK and the NRL have? And how about 3D - admittedly I've never seen it but O2 won some marketing award for cinema viewings of 3D AI matches (with free beer so maybe thats what won it....) and even local pubs in UK have 3D showings of rugby internationals.
Ai Rui Sheng
Guest
There are far fewer re-sets in S14 and 3N than in European games. There are also fewer players lying on the ground in rucks and mauls. Make your own conclusions.
Tarragon Fields
Guest
I too have wondered: what does a good scrum actually look like? If I watch the 6N, will I see scrums that are generally free of resets?
soapit
Guest
yep, this is a logical step and shouldnt be held up because some grounds might not have the facilities, just use whats available, it'll be the same for both teams. sorry to hijack things a tad but i was wondering, as the issue of scrums has been brought up, to those that watch the 6N regularly, are there as many scrum resets when its NH on NH as we saw throughout these latest tours with SH on NH?
Hoy
Roar Guru
I also had this idea with regards to the damn scrummaging issues we have been having. http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/11/23/stamp-out-scrum-trickery-says-deans/ Part of my input was: "I think our props need a lot of work, but I also think the refs need to take a long hard look at each scrum. I don’t know why the TMO can’t look at footage, and have a word in the ear of the ref. Call me mad, but in my ideal world, the TMO would have access to different views of proceedings live. As the scrum packs, surely he can see what is going, and tells the Ref, either at that time, or lets him know for next time “Hey, watch out for the Ital prop boring in" I think is it pretty simple as well. I don't want to see the play break down to a penalty riddled chicken fight, but I think certain things need to be known by refs. Scrum in particular. I am a back, but I could see clear as day on the tv screen what is happening in the scrums.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I don't know why the TMO can't rule on forward passes etc or at least pass on the message to the on field ref if there is something he has seen that the ref blatantly has missed. The side line refs are supposed to alert the main ref of these misdemeanors but there must be a unwritten law that they don't interfere with the refs decision. As far as camera angles go sometime you don't get the true picture from a camera angle, like in cricket. But rugby would not be as exacting as cricket in defining lines. I agree it would be common sense to refer to the TMO for on field indiscretions etc.
Lindommer
Guest
Would've been nice to have "camera views standardised" so as to avoid a case of "substandard cameramen/TV teams" not "delivering the right shots of the game for the TMO" at a certain Wallabies test at Twickenham some five years ago. But there again, if that incident caused rugby officials and TV producers to lift their game when using visual technology something good came of it. Not that I like losing to England. Ever. Especially through a dodgily-awarded try.
Matt
Guest
I reckon that's a pretty common sense idea TF. And it's a system that doesn't require a lot of changes from the current system OR much capital investment. It'd be good to have the camera views standardised for the TMO so he can get all the angles instantly and be able to quickly rewind tapes etc, because you could imagine problems arising if substandard cameramen/TV teams aren't delivering the right shots of the game for the TMO to make accurate calls.