Rugby has been using video replays since 2001 but referees have tended to use the technology sparingly with the majority of try decisions made immediately on the field.
One reason to go upstairs is on pushover tries either through a maul or scrum when a mass of bodies obscures the referee’s view. What predictably happens is the replay is inconclusive as the camera can’t zoom in close enough, while maintaining picture quality to determine if the ball was grounded.
Hawk-Eye is aiming to change that and other scenarios with enhanced replays to be used by Television Match Officals (TMOs) at this month’s Rugby World Cup.
The TMOs will be able to choose which replays they have access to instantly, independent from the host broadcaster. The replays allow the TMO to zoom in while retaining a high quality image, have split screens of the same moment to determine such things as whether a player is in touch, and better slow mo replays to make a ruling.
Due to the independent replays the TMOs can theoretically check every single play and let the referee know once there’s a stoppage if action needs to be taken. A point emphasised by TMO Shaun Veldsman when speaking to World Rugby.
“We can have play continuing, and while play is continuing we can look at certain things with the live screen and have the delayed screen at the same time,” he said.
The technology has already been used in selected matches leading up to tournament and Veldsman says it helped in deciding on a yellow card which may have otherwise gone unnoticed until after the match.
“I’ve been involved in a game between Scotland and Italy where there was potential foul play and I first reviewed it before I even had a chat to the referee, and after reviewing it was able to ask the referee. The player ended up with a yellow card and a penalty against him.”
Despite all the positive talk about Hawk-Eye in rugby, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles we’re used to in other sports such as ball tracking in tennis and cricket.
“In a contact sport like rugby, we’re not using ball tracking technology. Hawk-Eye is looking at every angle from a television broadcaster and playing it back to either the TMO in a decision making sense or the medical staff to identify potential player welfare issues, particularly concussion,” said Head of Rugby World Cup, Alan Gilpin.
Hawk-Eye’s SMART Replay technology promises to be quick and accurate in assisting decision-making, so hopefully fans won’t notice any undue delays in the games.
Just like cricket, tennis and football Hawk-Eye is there to remove the ‘howler’ and it would have been handy to have to determine if Mark Cueto had indeed scored a try against South Africa in the 2007 final.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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