TV Match official for penalties???

Peter B

Anyone find it annoying that sometimes the ref goes to the TMO for penalties to check if the ball went over. I was watching the Wasps v Scarlets game yesterday and the ref went to TMO for a penalty attempt. I thought this is a complete waste of time. I understand in a drop goal situation where the ref is not expected to be in the exact right position but for a penalty attempt there is no excuse for the touch judges not knowing if the ball went over or not as they are standing right under the posts. If I remember correctly this also happened in a recent Leinster match and the TMO had to make a decision on ridiculously bad TV angles.

Kid Nothing

Wasn't the one in the Leinster match the first time it had ever been used?

I don't have a problem with it, sure the officials should be able to judge it but the odd one can be hard to call especially when they're high above the posts like Sexton's was in that match....

thomond2006

If officials have any doubt about the score, it has to be checked.

I have no problem with it.

danthefan

thomond2006 wrote: »

If officials have any doubt about the score, it has to be checked.

I have no problem with it.

Agreed.

WeeBushy

They should definitely be used if there is any doubt.

Why force the ref/linesmen to make a decision when they aren't sure? Especially when there is a person available to check numerous tv angles. It is a brilliant addition to the sport.

PhatPiggins

Peter B wrote: »

Anyone find it annoying that sometimes the ref goes to the TMO for penalties to check if the ball went over. I was watching the Wasps v Scarlets game yesterday and the ref went to TMO for a penalty attempt. I thought this is a complete waste of time. I understand in a drop goal situation where the ref is not expected to be in the exact right position but for a penalty attempt there is no excuse for the touch judges not knowing if the ball went over or not as they are standing right under the posts. If I remember correctly this also happened in a recent Leinster match and the TMO had to make a decision on ridiculously bad TV angles.

In such a close game yesterday he was right to. TMO still got it wrong despite three angles and 8 replays.

Peter B

How can a linesman not be sure? They have the perfect angle. Far better view then you will ever get from a TV camera.

I like the TMO but I can't see any benefit for deciding whether penalties go over. Unless both touch judges fall over as the ball is about to be kicked. They have a far better view then any TMO has.

wixfjord

Peter B wrote: »

How can a linesman not be sure? They have the perfect angle. Far better view then you will ever get from a TV camera.

I like the TMO but I can't see any benefit for deciding whether penalties go over. Unless both touch judges fall over as the ball is about to be kicked. They have a far better view then any TMO has.

Thats incorrect. If your standing under the posts its very hard to see a ball which goes over the top of the posts. I know because Ive done it many times in GAA. Almost a 50/50 call. A high angle from behind can tell a lot more, or even a low one from behind the kicker.

Only takes a few secs and everything should be done to get decisions right I think.

eoferrall

Peter B wrote: »

How can a linesman not be sure? They have the perfect angle. Far better view then you will ever get from a TV camera.

I like the TMO but I can't see any benefit for deciding whether penalties go over. Unless both touch judges fall over as the ball is about to be kicked. They have a far better view then any TMO has.

they do not have a perfect view in all situations. when its between the posts and less then the height of the posts. but for high kicks as has being said it is hard to see. the perspective makes the tip of posts come together, thus the higher the ball the less sure you can be of the kick when stand directly below.

For high ones it would be the "perfect" view as you seem to think there is would be to be further back and take away a large part of the tunnelling effect of perspective from below.

Peter B

I have also stood behind the posts to see whether penalties / conversions go over. You have a far better chance of seeing whether the ball goes over then any TMO does.

Interestingly I thought the TMO got it wrong for the Leinster match (he had woeful TV angles) and got it correct for the match yesterday. Interestingly PhatPiggins thinks the opposite for the match yesterday. I thought the ball travelled above the post meaning if the posts were extended it would have bounced back, therefore not a penalty score.

Podge_irl

The decision to go to the TMO for the Leinster penalty was probably the correct one given the circumstances, but the camera angles were absolutely apalling.

funky penguin

Hopefully the new laser thingies will sort out any problems with decisions.

PhatPiggins

Peter B wrote: »

I have also stood behind the posts to see whether penalties / conversions go over. You have a far better chance of seeing whether the ball goes over then any TMO does.

Interestingly I thought the TMO got it wrong for the Leinster match (he had woeful TV angles) and got it correct for the match yesterday. Interestingly PhatPiggins thinks the opposite for the match yesterday. I thought the ball travelled above the post meaning if the posts were extended it would have bounced back, therefore not a penalty score.

It only partially travelled over the post. The majority of the ball passed over the crossbar. In off if the posts had been higher.