As the pace of rugby increases, so does the potential for referees and their sideline assistants to make mistakes. That is why they deserve as much support as possible. Over the past few years, that has been provided by television match officials. Their expanded use, which this year sees them
Editorial: GPS tracking could solve rugby dilemma
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Chiefs coach Dave Rennie. Photo / Getty Images
Clearly, the referees, their assistants and the TMOs would benefit from help. Fortunately, this is becoming available in the form of technology that was tested across the Tasman earlier this year. This saw Aussie Rules using footballs fitted with minuscule tracking devices that used GPS technology. A variation of this could surely signal when a pass went forward or, indeed, when a ball was grounded on or across the tryline. There is no good reason why it should not be introduced as soon as possible.
The usual arguments will be arrayed against this. It will be said to slow down the game and encourage referees to take a soft option. But the one constant about the use of technology is that whatever the sport, the doubters are quickly won over once it is used. Certainly, rugby games now run several minutes longer, a feature exacerbated by referees being able to check suspected instances of foul play on the big screen. But the vast majority of fans at the ground and watching on television are not complaining. Seeing on the big screen what the referee or TMO is examining keeps them involved in the game.
And what followers of rugby desire more than anything else are correct rulings. They want tries ruled out if in the lead-up there has been offside play, a forward pass, a knock-on, obstruction or some other blatant illegality. Soccer has made itself look foolish by not responding to this fundamental wish. Rugby can make itself look even smarter by using technology to enhance the decision-making of referees whenever it is available.