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The 2023 Rugby World Cup will see a revamped foul play process in place, with the introduction of the \u201cTMO bunker\u201d system at the tournament for the first time.<\/p>\n
The introduction follows a number of World Rugby trials during the course of the last year, including the Summer Nations Series and Rugby Championship.<\/p>\n
The \u201cbunker\u201d system is designed to improve accuracy of decision making and avoid significant disruptions to the flow of games, and has already been utilised in a couple of high profile moments ahead of the World Cup.<\/p>\n
England captain Owen Farrell\u2019s sending off against Wales at Twickenham was awarded after the on-field referee, Nika Amashukeli, placed the incident on review.<\/p>\n
So how does the \u201cbunker\u201d system work? Here\u2019s everything you need to know:<\/p>\n
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What is the \u201cbunker\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n Put simply, the bunker is an area away from crowds and other interference, which will be occupied by dedicated foul play review officials. During the World Cup, it will be at the International Broadcast Centre in Paris.<\/p>\n When does the foul play review official do?<\/strong><\/p>\n The foul play review official (FRPO) will be engaged to assess contentious foul play incidents that are not clear and obvious red card offences.<\/p>\n How does the process work?<\/strong><\/p>\n The on-field referee remains the primary decision-maker during matches, but now have the authority to refer an incident to the \u201cbunker\u201d. If an incident is decided to have met the yellow card threshold by the referee and television match official (TMO), and is deemed severe enough that a red card might be required, the referee will show the player a yellow card and cross their forearms in an \u2018X\u2019 shape to indicate a review.<\/p>\n The FRPO then has up to eight minutes to assess the incident, utlising advanced HawkEye camera technology, and decide whether to stick with a yellow card or upgrade the sanction to a red. If the yellow remains, the player will return to the pitch after ten minutes, as per the familiar sin bin regulations, while an upgrade to red will end their participation in the match.<\/p>\n Why has it been introduced?<\/strong><\/p>\n The revamped foul play review process is designed to avoid a long delay while the referee and TMO consult after an incident. The FRPO can review any potential red card offence while a match continues, with World Rugby hoping this will help improve the flow of the game.<\/p>\n Similarly, the extra time granted to the FRPO should allow them the access and time required to assess all camera angles, without the pressure of a crowd\u2019s presence – in theory, this should lead to greater accuracy.<\/p>\n The outcomes of the Foul Play Review Official\u2019s assessments will be presented to the stadium audience and television viewers via in-stadium and broadcast graphics.<\/p>\n
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