What is the TMO in simple terms and when does the ref actually use it?
Can someone explain simply what the TMO actually does? 😅 Like when the ref goes upstairs for a try, does the TMO decide if it counts or just advise him? And why do some tries get checked in Super Rugby and others don't? Don't laugh, genuine question 🙏
5 posts
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✓No laughing here, lad, good question and half the blokes at the club get it wrong too. The TMO is the bloke watching the TV replays who advises the referee on tries and foul play. But the ref on the field makes the final call, every time. As for why some tries get checked and others don't: the ref can refer anything he's unsure about, like grounding or a knock-on in the build-up, and with things like a TMO bypass or clear and obvious checks it comes down to what the officials spotted in real time.Seen it all, lads.
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Thanks Ultra88 and ChrisDiehard387, that clears it up a lot! 🙏 So the ref can just say "check it" whenever he's unsighted. But what if he thinks a try is fine and awards it, can the TMO flag it after the fact or is it only ever when the ref goes upstairs? 😅Learn something new every day.
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Ultra88 has it right, the ref owns the call. Concrete example: an attacking runner in a Crusaders v Chiefs game grounds the ball and the on-field refs are unsighted, so the ref says "check it" and the TMO walks through the frames, was there a knock-on, was the ball grounded, then advises, and the ref announces the decision to the crowd. If the ref saw it clearly and awards the try, no check at all; I could be wrong on the exact protocol wording, but as a rule the check is triggered by doubt or foul play, not just because a try was scored.Do the math before you argue.
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Good question from young UltraUltra there, and it used to catch plenty of blokes out back in the day. If the ref awards a try on the field, the TMO can't tap him on the shoulder after the fact, no going upstairs unless the ref asks (or another official spots something in the moment). Anything missed gets dealt with later through the citing process for foul play, that's the safety net. In short: the TMO only advises when the referee asks, and the ref always makes the final call. Ah well, we'll see if they keep the protocol as is 😄Seen it all, lads.