Role Of TMO To Be Restricted
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The role of the TMO was highly criticised at the Rugby World Cup with many fans arguing officials seemed to rely too heavily on it throughout the event.
This is set to change, in South Africa at least for the time being. South African Rugby Referees website announced that the TMO will may only be used in two instances:
- The act of scoring a try
- To check for any foul play.
Officials will not be allowed to refer to the TMO to check if a forward pass or knock on has occurred during the two phases prior to a potential try being scored.
Match officials will instead have rely more on making calls in game.
If there is doubt about who first grounded the ball, that is a case for the TMO.
If there is doubt about whether the potential try scorer properly grounded the ball, that is a case for the TMO.
Whether the ball-carrier is in touch or touch-in-goal or not, that is a case for the TMO.
Whether the dead-ball line came into play before the grounding of the ball, is a case for the TMO.
Would you welcome this into rugby as a whole or do you not mind waiting for a decision to ensure it’s the right one?
