New trials to extend powers of TV official

THE powers of rugby’s Television Match Official (TMO) will be extended to the entire field in selected northern and southern hemisphere games in 2012 and, if successful, it may become permanent.

At the moment, the TMO can only be called on by referees when the play is in the in-goal area. However, IRB referee manager Paddy O’Brien has revealed that the trial would allow the TMO to weigh in at other points of a game — for example, in the lead-up to tries and where foul play was involved.

A protocol will be established to determine how it will work, but the test would “extend the use” of the TMO.