E-mail Article Print-Friendly Version Contact Us

Watson concerned with TMOs

Monday 28th July 2008

Andre Watson: TMO referrals need to 'get smoother'

Andre Watson, South Africa's director of referees and the brains behind the ELVs relating to the extra powers given to the television match officials, has raised concerns about the implementation of the experimental laws.

The new laws that are being trialled in the Currie Cup give the television match officials vastly extended powers and allow referees to refer any suspected incident of foul play to the 'man upstairs' as well as allowing TMOs to go back to check on preceding phases of play before giving a try the thumbs-up.

After several frustrating incidents in this year's competition, concerns have been raised in various quarters specifically with regards to the amount of time being 'wasted' while TMOs watch replays and referees overeagerness to refer to decisions to their colleagues.

"There are still too many things that worry me and we need to get it a lot smoother in the future," Watson told Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Sondag.

Watson also told the newspaper that it was still too early to see if the new laws would be implemented worldwide.

"The jury is still out," he concluded. "I don't think we can say that they have succeeded yet at this stage."