World Rugby is taking away some of the control from TMO and giving more to on-field referees.GETTY IMAGES
World Rugby "reined in the power" of TV match officials for the end-of-year internationals in Europe and "handed back more control to on-field referees," according to REUTERS. The influence of the TMO "came under heavy scrutiny" during the June tests in the Southern Hemisphere and the latter stages of the Super Rugby competition. Coaches "questioned cards shown to their players" in Super Rugby fixtures after the TMO "convinced on-field referees to change their initial assessment of an incident." Former players working as TV analysts also criticized "the amount of time taken to make decisions" and questioned "the application of the strict letter of the law in certain events" (REUTERS, 10/5). In London, Owen Slot reported referees will no longer be able to refer to their TMOs for "on-the-run chat" when they ask them to review certain incidents. The "weight of decisions during play will fall more heavily on the referees." The responsibility for try-scoring decisions will also fall "more to the officials on the pitch" but, according to a World Rugby statement, "the team of four can all contribute." The TMOs "may nevertheless become enhanced as personalities because, as a further in-game gimmick, they will be broadcast live when they are in action" (LONDON TIMES, 10/4).
