Super Rugby is changing its rules surrounding in-game video reviews, now favouring a system that more closely resembles the one used by rugby league.
Previously, referees have been able to send contentious decisions upstairs without providing the television match official with their opinion take on the incident.
From this season onwards, any referee who wants a decision reviewed by the television referee will first have to state their "on-field decision".
The TMO will then review the given incident accordingly based on the referee's assessment.
The TMO must be persuaded that the evidence is compelling before proving the on-field referee's call wrong, and therefore overturning the call.
SANZAAR hopes to speed up refereeing deicsions in this year's Super Rugby competition. Photo: Photosport
'What' can be referred for review remains the same - the "two phases back only" protocol still stands.
The only exception to this process is in the case of a potential foul play incident.
The referee can choose to review the incident on the big screen with no "on-field decision" prior to the review.
SANZAAR chief executive Andy Marinos said, "The general consensus is that with the new technology and the protocol of a definitive "on-field call", time is saved and the awkward conversation between referee and TMO that occurs from time to time is eliminated."
"This protocol change makes the process clean and efficient and places accountability for an "on-field call" in the hands of the referee and a review of that decision in the hands of the TMO," said Marinos.
