TV refs return for rugby's provincial comp

Television match officials will return to New Zealand rugby's national provincial championship this season - using new technology - after their absence produced some controversial decisions last year.

The New Zealand Rugby Union today confirmed the presence of the TMOs for the new ITM Cup which starts next week.

Their reintroduction will see a sideline match official take on the role of TMO and have use of a television monitor for replays if required by the match referee.

The use of TMOs in the domestic provincial competition was one of several initiatives affected by wide-ranging NZRU budget cuts in 2009.

"This was one of the tough decisions we had to make last year, and the feedback from fans and provincial unions was clear - they wanted us to find a solution," said NZRU general manager professional rugby Neil Sorensen

"Since then, we've been working with our broadcast partner SKY Television, ITM Cup coaches, and provincial union officials to find an acceptable and more affordable alternative.

"We've had great cooperation for the technical requirements from both SKY and Murray Tregonning and Associates who supply the RefTalk radio communications for our match officials."

The previous TMO system required specifically appointed match officials to have their own technology booths at the ground along with additional match cameras.  The new sideline monitor system is considerably less expensive.

NZRU referees boss Lyndon Bray welcomed the introduction of sideline TMOs as an added tool for referees.

"We were delighted with the level of decision-making of our referees last year, and adding this solution in 2010 will allow them to utilise technology on those few occasions when they are completely unsighted," he said.

"Those few occasions may be quite clear to everyone watching at home, but can be missed by the match officials if they are unsighted."

From this year's ITM Cup, referees will be able to call on the sideline match official for a TMO decision. 

That official will have a sideline monitor and direct communication with the director of the SKY broadcast to get all the relevant angles replayed.  The official will then use the RefTalk communication system to relay the decision back to the referee. 

- © Fairfax NZ News