Steve Hansen's call for coaches to challenge on-field decisions has received support from on high but the initiative won't be introduced before next year's Rugby World Cup in England.
A radical rule change that would allow teams to challenge real-time refereeing decisions is being strongly considered, a high-ranking International Rugby Board official has revealed.
In the wake of a number of controversial decisions at Twickenham last weekend, particularly those involving consultation with the television match official from Welsh referee Nigel Owens, All Blacks coach Hansen expressed a desire for the coach or captain to have the ability to challenge calls during a match.
Hansen also voiced his frustration at the selective nature of big-screen replays at match venues favouring the home team and potentially influencing the referee. Further fuelling the fire, England's Rugby Football Union confirmed to a New Zealand media outlet that replays at the ground were not controlled by the broadcaster. (if the broadcaster is NOT in control of the replays then who is????????????? don't tell that SA TV are also involved up North)
IRB referees' boss Joel Jutge told the Sunday Star-Times he and chairman of the match official selection panel, John Jeffrey, had "looked carefully" at the challenge scenario and were working on developing a prototype of Hansen's suggestion.
Jutge said there was not enough time to introduce the challenge process before the 2015 World Cup but a trial could be staged in the likes of Super Rugby, the French Top 14 or English Premiership in 2016.
"Regarding the coaches' challenge or captains' challenge, John Jeffrey and I have worked a lot on this question and have looked carefully at the idea," Jutge said.
"For it to work properly, it would need to be trialled over a full season in a major competition in order to identify and then iron out any potential problems. All unions/teams previously agreed that any law change such as this must be in place at least one year before a Rugby World Cup, so clearly it is not possible for us to bring it in before RWC 2015.
"However, the idea has not been abandoned and it is expected that it will be back on the table after the RWC."
Similar systems are prevalent in American sports. NFL coaches are allowed up to three challenges - the first two must be successful to earn the third - per-game; managers of Major League baseball teams also have referrals at their disposal; and the NBA this year adopted a "replay central" facility which allows referees to check contentious decisions.
In international tennis and cricket, players, rather than coaches, have the ability to challenge umpiring calls.
Adopting this protocol in rugby may, however, lead to inevitable concerns of further slowing the game through additional stoppages while footage is reviewed.
Jutge also confirmed that communication between the TMO and referee would soon be made private, rather than being broadcast live. (why not????? where is the Transparency?????)
Last week, fans could clearly hear Owens over-ruling a recommendation from his TMO that All Blacks hooker Dane Coles should be penalised, and not yellow-carded, for lashing out with his foot while being held by the jersey.
"The fact that we hear everything is limiting the freedom of the TMO to express himself and, perhaps, disagree openly with the referee. Ultimately, we think it will yield more correct decisions," Jutge said.
"Once the dialogue has taken place and the final decision made, the referee can then explain it on the open microphone so that everyone can hear and understand."
