Does the TMO Have Too Much Power in Rugby Nowadays?

There has been much discussion about the effect of giving more power to the TMOs in Super Rugby and international games this year.

Yes, the effect has been somewhat positive in that we are seeing less of tries that have been awarded in the past but shouldn't have because of a forward pass or illegal movement - those are now being picked up by TMOs although it is debatable what angles they work on when it comes to determining if a pass is borderline flat or forward.

However, there are times where the TMOs - who are not exactly tier-1 referees - seem to want to grab the limelight and outshow the referee on the field with the biggest call in the game based on slow-motion replays rather than live action and the context of the game.

Unfortunately, the TMO's decision to recommend referee Chris Pollock to give Blues Kane Barrett the red card for stamping on Chiefs captain, Craig Clarke, will come under heavy scrutiny and debate on talkback radio this week.

Last year, Barrett would have got away scot-free with what was at best a reckless stamp that did brush Clarke's sacred area but landed on his shoulder as he tried to enter the ruck. Even a yellow card would have been harsh - a red card was just extreme especially for the young Taranaki flanker who is not known as a dirty player.

Compared to other red cards this season, it was actually rather pathetic to put it bluntly and it ruined what was a great game up to that point.

As it was the Blues were forced to go into courageous-fighting-against-the-odds mode against a well-polished champion Chiefs side who were keen to seal a top 2 spot and a rest next week, and as expected they did rather well at first, even scoring a try to take the lead.

Alas, the loss of power in the forwards was an area that the Chiefs were always going to exploit - Ben Tameifuna grabbing a brace as a result of two botched lineouts by the Blues. The Blues were always going to struggle to chase down the game once they fell behind with their 14 men - and factoring in that they had just returned from South Africa only days before - and the Chiefs could easily defend and close the game out.

Indeed, the gap would have been bigger had Aaron Cruden's radar worked on the night - he missed 3 conversions. At least, they got the win and extra bonus point to ensure their place in the top 2 is secure - now they just need the Stormers to beat the Bulls in Cape Town and they will finish as the no. 1 team in the Super Rugby regular season.

So, the Blues don't quite get the win they wanted to farewell three of their long-time stalwarts, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric and Rene Ranger (prematurely) but it was a performance that they could be proud of at the end of a long and dramatic season. JK has plenty to look forward to with this young and exciting Blues team.

But for now, he may very well be stewing over the most controversial moment of the night - as will many rugby fans.