Television Match Official

[Barge]

What's everyone think of the new extended use of the video ref?

I'll start by saying I'm not a fan. Its early days yet I know, but the one game I was able to see of the first weekend did a lot to make me believe it is not a good thing.

Waratahs v Blues was slowed down a lot by the TMO. He didn't even get it exclusively right (thanks muchly and here's that $50 ref). I covered this in my match report, but I want to know what happened in the other games.

Keep the TMO away from penalties and leave the video analysis till after the game and get the citation system severe, correct and consistent...

[Nathan]

You got it Barge. Happened again in the game last night in Hamilton. Took about 4 minutes to decide that the ball was knocked on over the in-goal by the Blues instead of knocked back by the Chiefs.

Actually I don't like the video ref at all. Consult with the touchies, sure. But some of these decisions just take far too long. The ref's call is usually right and even with the video replay many of those tries are pretty hard to pick. It's becoming more and more like American football out there - just make a decision and let the game carry on one way or the other.

Another rule I'd like to see curtailed is the substitution law. The coaches giving players 3 minutes at the end when the game is already over as a contest is just a further waste of time. And bloody tedious for all concerned. There should be a rule saying "Tactical substitutions may only occur up until the 65th minute of the game, after which the team on the park must carry on the full 80 minute unless there is a GENUINE injury that prevents a player from continuing." This would have to be policed somehow to stop coaches from beating the system. The other option is to introduce "Interchange" like in league. This is where there is a set of cones at halfway, the subbed player leaves and once he has passed between them the new player can go on. The penalty for doing a lot of subs is obviously that while subs are going on and off you are effectively playing with one less player. It would save a lot of disruption.