Eddie Jones, the ever-outspoken coach of Japan, has once again thrown the gauntlet down on the state of refereeing in Test rugby. In a fiery column, Jones bemoaned the "absurdity" of the current system, particularly criticizing the overuse of the Television Match Official (TMO) and its detrimental impact on the game’s flow and spectacle.
The catalyst for his latest outburst was a controversial red card handed to Japan’s debutant, Harry Hockings, during a nail-biter against Wales, which ended 24-23 in favor of the Welsh. The card was later overturned, but for Jones, this incident was just the tip of the iceberg. He railed against what he perceives as excessive stoppages and the distorting effect of slow-motion replay on the game, stating,
"We had 93 minutes on pitch, 41 minutes ball in play and 52 minutes of stoppages. Is that what the punter is paying to see?"
Jones pointed to a weekend riddled with TMO interventions, noting a whopping 61 reviews that led to a staggering 170 minutes of dead air, not to mention a flurry of cards thrown in the mix. "It’s bloody absurd," he lamented, highlighting the disruptive nature of such interruptions on the natural flow of the game.
The coach also took issue with the current tackle assessments, particularly criticizing the interpretation of 'leading with the shoulder.' He argued,
"This idea of ‘leading with the shoulder’ is crap. You have to lead with the shoulder. It’s like catching a cricket ball – your fingers wrap after the contact. Freeze the footage and it will always look like no wrap."
Jones is advocating for a seismic shift back to basics: more real-time officiating, fewer stoppages, and a simpler card system to keep the game moving. His five-point plan includes using TMO only for checking foul play or try groundings, and insists on the need for the game to flow naturally to increase fatigue and thereby, space.
With his typical mix of wit and candor, Jones concluded, "We’re searching for perfection in the most complex sport. Referees must referee, players must play – and the TMO must get out of the way." Whether his calls for reform will incite change remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Eddie Jones is not one to shy away from controversy or conversation.
2,193 posts
Eddie Jones, the ever-outspoken coach of Japan, has once again thrown the gauntlet down on the state of refereeing in Test rugby. In a fiery column, Jones bemoaned the "absurdity" of the current system, particularly criticizing the overuse of the Television Match Official (TMO) and its detrimental impact on the game’s flow and spectacle.
The catalyst for his latest outburst was a controversial red card handed to Japan’s debutant, Harry Hockings, during a nail-biter against Wales, which ended 24-23 in favor of the Welsh. The card was later overturned, but for Jones, this incident was just the tip of the iceberg. He railed against what he perceives as excessive stoppages and the distorting effect of slow-motion replay on the game, stating,
"We had 93 minutes on pitch, 41 minutes ball in play and 52 minutes of stoppages. Is that what the punter is paying to see?"
Jones pointed to a weekend riddled with TMO interventions, noting a whopping 61 reviews that led to a staggering 170 minutes of dead air, not to mention a flurry of cards thrown in the mix. "It’s bloody absurd," he lamented, highlighting the disruptive nature of such interruptions on the natural flow of the game.
The coach also took issue with the current tackle assessments, particularly criticizing the interpretation of 'leading with the shoulder.' He argued,
"This idea of ‘leading with the shoulder’ is crap. You have to lead with the shoulder. It’s like catching a cricket ball – your fingers wrap after the contact. Freeze the footage and it will always look like no wrap."
Jones is advocating for a seismic shift back to basics: more real-time officiating, fewer stoppages, and a simpler card system to keep the game moving. His five-point plan includes using TMO only for checking foul play or try groundings, and insists on the need for the game to flow naturally to increase fatigue and thereby, space.
With his typical mix of wit and candor, Jones concluded, "We’re searching for perfection in the most complex sport. Referees must referee, players must play – and the TMO must get out of the way." Whether his calls for reform will incite change remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Eddie Jones is not one to shy away from controversy or conversation.