ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Bizarre on field debates highlight TMO intervention problems

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Monday Nov 8, 2021

France overcame a stubborn Argentina in Paris last weekend to secure their first win of the Autumn Nations series, registering a 29-20 victory courtesy of tries from Thibaud Flament and Peato Mauvaka.

ADVERTISEMENT

Each side scored twice, with the boot of Matthieu Jalibert ultimately proving the difference between the two teams late in the game. It was an entertaining encounter but one which might be better remembered for the bizarre decision-making between referee Ben O’Keefe, his assistants and the Television Match Official.

With the TMO referred to more often than not in the event of scoring a try (or not!) the time taken to verify whether a try should be awarded has certainly proven unpopular among fans and teams alike.

The rationale is understandable: no referee wants to award a try which should not be awarded, given the impact it could have on the outcome of the match.

But it appears that the interpretation of the laws around the game, and the interventions and influence of the TMO, are making decisions on-field not only take far longer than they should do, but also making them less consistent.

Two examples of such inconsistencies arose during France’s victory over Argentina, both with different outcomes. France were denied a superb try for captain Antoine Dupont, after it was deemed that full back Melvyn Jaminet had knocked on following the gather of an up-and-under.

ADVERTISEMENT

The knock-on was incredibly marginal, with the ball essentially dropping vertically than forward. But this was enough for O’Keefe to reverse his decision to award the try, based on his on-field suspicion that the ball was indeed knocked on, confirmed by the TMO.

However, assistant referee Luke Pearce tried to counter the decision by saying that he did not feel the ball was knocked on. The try was chalked off with Argentina getting the scrum on the French 10m line.

The second example was the other way around, with Argentina being awarded their second try as a result of an apparent knock-on from Emeliano Boffelli – ironically the ball coming off Jaminet’s head in the up-and-under contest. Replays suggested that Boffelli had tapped the ball into Jaminet’s head, therefore constituting a knock-on, but O’Keefe insisted that the ball had been knocked off Jaminet’s head and flicked backwards by Boffelli for winger Santiago Carreras.

ADVERTISEMENT

Interestingly, there was a lengthy debate between O’Keefe and his assistants as to whether the ball had been knocked on or backwards by Boffelli.

TMO Brendon Pickering claimed that there was no “clear knock-on”, leaving O’Keefe to maintain his on-field decision of a try, despite both Pearce and fellow assistant referee Christophe Ridley not appearing to share the same opinion.

These two instances were similar in nature, with one decision going one way and the other the opposite. What is clear is that the consistency in deciphering whether the ball has clearly been knocked on or not remains a bone of contention.

Related Articles

  • 78 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Sam Prendergast highlights package...

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Perpignan Torch Clermont Defence To Score...

  • 108 WEEKS AGO

    Argentine International Does His Best Frans...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 7 HOURS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

View All