An inevitable part of all rugby games that you sit down to watch will involve a questionable pass here and there or a definite knock-on that you are convinced the referee has missed. However, it seems to be becoming an increasingly bigger problem that the Television Match Official (TMO), along with TV producers and even the fans themselves filling up the stands, are playing a larger role in the decision making of a game than they should.
So what do I mean by this? The ultimate decision maker in a game is the referee himself, live and in the action. He has the prerogative to either make a call based solely on his own perception and ideas, or he can consult his friend with the replays if he isn’t too sure. But it seems, to me at least, that refs are losing confidence in their own abilities to make calls and are becoming too reliant on someone else validating their decisions.
The unnecessary stops and starts during the game not only make for bad viewing, but it also forces valuable playing time to be lost and can even push the referee to make harsh decisions he wouldn’t normally have made.
We all know that massive TV screen at stadiums that we are thankful is there, as it allows us to view the action up close if we happen to be sitting on the wrong side of the stadium. This one object is causing some of the biggest problems in rugby right now. TV producers have decided the main thing for them to do is replay what they consider to be dodgy incidents, over and over again, causing the fans to start getting vocal with their displeasure in the referee’s decision to let the said incident slide (regardless of whether there is a penalty there or not).
This forces the TMO, in particular, to make the choice to review whatever is being played and normally leads to either a penalty or, in more serious circumstances, a card, that wouldn’t normally be a problem. You can’t help wondering if these decisions are made because those making them feel obligated to do it or not.
But the biggest thing which is currently happening which stumps me is the judgement that now prevents viewers from being able to hear the conversation going on between the TMO and the on-field referee. It is said to be because they are attempting to take the viewers out of the equation and not allow them to hold as much power as they may have in the past. I find it rather contradicting if you compare it to the points I previously made which seems to be bringing in the viewer more than ever.
However, if you move over to cricket, we are now seeing the complete opposite thing happening. Taken on a test run during the South Africa tour to Australia earlier this month, viewers would have noticed a new element. The Standing umpires will now be wired, allowing for those watching on television to hear the 3rd Umpire explaining and discussing the review process as he works through decisions given to him. This will apply to reviews given to the 3rd Umpire in terms of the review system, as well as decisions regarding, for example, whether a catch has carried. This new technology will become interesting when the answer isn’t very clear cut and will hopefully allow for fans to understand the reasoning behind calls made.
While I think cricket is moving in the right direction regarding the wiring of umpires, allowing us to hear what is being said as it takes out the biggest topic for debate from the equation, I don’t think Rugby has quite found similar ground. I have read multiple articles over the past few weeks covering this same topic and each reach near enough the same conclusion. TV producers need to calm down on the replays and on-field referees need to trust their own abilities as they are the one who controls the game. I am all for seeking additional opinions in situations that you are unsure about, but this shouldn’t become a default reaction.
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