Nigel Owens Calls for On-Field Referees to regain control at Rugby World Cup – Maul Talk

Former international referee Nigel Owens has voiced his concerns over the bunker system used during the recent Rugby World Cup, urging World Rugby to reconsider its implementation. Owens argues that this technology-driven approach has not had the intended positive impact on the game and has resulted in a surge of contentious decisions.

Initially trialed during the World Rugby U20 Championship and later adopted for the global tournament in France, the bunker system was introduced to speed up the game and improve decision accuracy. World Rugby’s goal was to relieve pressure on referees, particularly when dealing with yellow card offenses, by allowing an independent official to review and determine whether a yellow card should be upgraded to a red card.

In the Rugby World Cup final, this system was put to the test as yellow cards were issued to Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, and Siya Kolisi for dangerous play. While Kolisi and Frizell were allowed to return to the field as their incidents remained yellow card offenses, Cane received a red card for a similar offense, making history as the first player to be sent off in a World Cup final.

Owens refrained from expressing his personal opinion on Cane’s red card decision but emphasized that it should be the on-field referee making these pivotal determinations. In a column for WalesOnline, Owens stated, “Whether you agree with Cane’s red card or not, the individual responsible for these critical decisions should be the one on the field—the appointed referee. It should not be relegated to a bunker where individuals lacking the experience of international referees make these determinations.”

Owens further raised concerns about the impact of this system on the game. Referees are now less likely to issue red cards themselves, which he believes is detrimental to the sport. He argued that the bunker system has not eliminated controversy and is at risk of diminishing the sport’s appeal to fans. Additionally, Owens pointed out that contentious red card decisions may expose referees to undue abuse, which, while unacceptable, is more likely when contentious decisions occur.

Regarding potential changes, Owens identified three key areas that need addressing. First, he called for a reevaluation of laws and directives related to head contact, emphasizing that current regulations and sanctions are failing to alter player behavior and result in inconsistent decisions. Second, he questioned the effectiveness of laws governing held-up balls over the goal line, arguing that they favor defensive play over attacking opportunities.

Lastly, Owens voiced his concerns about the role of technology and the bunker system, suggesting that the TMO (Television Match Official) is increasingly taking precedence over on-field referees, a trend he believes is not in the best interest of the sport. He stressed that the primary decision-making responsibility should lie with the on-field officials, with too many parties involved in current decision-making processes.

In summary, Nigel Owens advocates for a return to on-field refereeing decisions in rugby, highlighting concerns about the bunker system’s impact on the game’s integrity and fan experience. He proposes a reevaluation of head contact laws, the goal-line situation, and the role of technology in officiating.

The conversation surrounding the role of technology in sports continued on twitter today (Nov 5 2023), when Nigel responded to a tweet by Lee Jarvis. In his tweet, Jarvis expressed his perspective, suggesting that “Football is going bonkers over the VAR Rugby is losing its patience with TMO something need to change in both sports imo” Nigel replies ” Let the referee do their jobs that will sort it simple”: