During the World Cup, and subsequently, if you are able to watch matches from Europe on television, you will have been interested, intrigued perhaps, at the communication between referees and touch judges, and by the Television Match Official (TMO) decisions that are requested by referees at try scoring situations.
For your interest and information, here, below, is the IRB’s Match Official Communication Protocol.

OBJECTIVE
To provide a consistent approach to communication for referees, touch judges and television match officials (TMO) for international matches to which the IRB select the match officials.


1. Referee Communication Guidelines:

It is important to note that referees communication style is part of the personality of the referee and it is vital that the referee is able to utilise his unique style. The following represent a set of guidelines to assist referees in communicating in an acceptable manner.
1.1 When explaining decisions, referees should be succinct and wherever possible use the language of the Law Book e.g.

a. “Penalty kick to white, blue 6 offside” or “Blue 6 offside, penalty kick to white”
b. “Scrum down, white throw in – knocked on by blue 6, no advantage” or “Knock on by blue 6, no advantage, scrum white throw in.”

c. “Penalty kick here, or scrum back to white there, blue 6 in front of the ten metre line” or “Blue 6 in front of ten metre line, penalty kick
here or scrum back to white there.”

d. “Penalty kick to white, blue 6 not bound” or “Blue 6 not bound, penalty kick to white.”
1.2 The explanation should be accompanied by the appropriate secondary signal.

1.3 Preventative statements should be used sparingly and should not be used all the way through the game. The players should have adapted early in the match.

Follow up:

1.4 Preventative statements should not be used repeatedly. By the time a statement has commenced for a second time the offence will have been committed. The initial offence is then condoned.
1.5 The preferred communication method is to use the team’s name or colour plus the number of the player. The use of a player’s name should not take

place.
1.6 Referees may say “play on” when the ball can be played after rucks and collapsed mauls i.e. artificial offside lines should not operate.

1.7 Referees should not engage in conversation with players other than the captain and then only to address specific issues. Referees should make
this clear to the captains before the match. Offenders should be penalised.

1.8 Foul language should never be used.


2. Team of Three Communication Guidelines
2.1 Referee Responsibility

The referee has responsibility and the accountability for the match and for his decisions. He may take assistance from the touch judges in accordance with the protocol, but the match referee has the ultimate responsibility for all decisions.
2.2 Touch Judge Duties

The primary duties of a touch judge relate to the decision in respect of:
Touch

Touch-in-goal
Dead ball line

Kicks at goal
Foul play

Any other forms of assistance to the referee are secondary and must not intrude on the primary duties. Touch Judges must be aware that their positional play relative to the primary duties often precludes other assistance.


2.3 Communication
The touch judge shall

2.3.1 Signal for foul play irrespective of whether the touch judge believes that the referee has seen the offence(s).
2.3.2 Communicate to the referee when the flag has been raised (depending whether there is a very clear advantage of being gained by the non-offending team)

2.3.3 The touch judge and referee must then communicate in the following manner:
2.3.4 Touch Judge gives number and Team of offending player (or team only if the player cannot be identified. However, it is important for touch judges to concentrate on the offence/offender until the number can be identified.)

2.3.5 The touch judge gives a precise and accurate description of offence.
2.3.6 Referee may request a sanction recommendation i.e.

- Severe reprimand
- Formal caution and temporary suspension

- Send off
The touch judge advises referee of recommendation.

2.3.7 Referee repeats number and team of offending player and confirms the sanction.
2.3.8 Referee takes the required action and delivers the sanction.

This procedure is designed to ensure:
· Correct information and action

· Clarity and speed of communication
2.3.9 Always consult:

· touch judge may have extra information on an offence which the referee has “seen”.
· Referee never overrules touch judge without consultation.


The touch judge shall

2.3.10 At stoppages in play (re: stoppage for injury/substitution), advise the referee of trends e.g.
(a) “Blues backline close to offside line, preventative warning necessary.”

(b) “Check tackled players to ensure release.”
2.3.11 Communicate to the referee any obvious infringement to which the Referee is un-sighted and where the infringement has a critical effect.

2.3.12 Communicate to the referee on replacement and substitutions. [This may also be done by No. 4/5 officials if the communication system allows.]


The touch judge shall not
2.3.13 Communicate to the referee the Touch Judge’s view on marginal decisions relating to forward passes, knock-ons, off-sides, crooked-in to scrum/line-out etc.

2.3.14 The referee retains the responsibility/accountability for these decisions.
2.3.15 The touch judge must not shout instructions at players at ruck and maul; Particularly at ruck post tackle –e.g. “roll away”, “on your feet”. In these areas touch judge should concentrate primarily on foul play, and then offside lines. This does not preclude a Touch Judge from communicating with players in an unobtrusive manner to prevent further infringements relating to foul play.


2.4 Additional Comments

2.4.1 Scrum management remains the responsibility of the referee.
Assistance, if requested, may be given.

2.4.2 Referee will confirm “close” touch down awards with the touch judge by eye contact and verbal confirmation. The touch judge remains on the touch in goal line while try is signalled.
2.4.3 The flags are not 100% reliable and may “go off”. Therefore, teams of three should not be totally dependant on them.

2.4.4 Referees must maintain their work rate in all areas of the game particularly mid-field off-side and not become lazy through use of the flags.
2.4.5 Touch judges by placing themselves correctly and by discreet communications with players, will be able to assist in the preventive management of off side lines at scrum and line-out and to a lesser extent at ruck and maul.

2.4.6 This protocol does not preclude touch judges from providing encouragement and positive support to the referee.


3. Television Match Official Communication Guidelines
3.1 The referee will blow time out and make the “time out” T signal.

3.2 The referee will make a “square box” signal with his hands and at the same time inform the TMO through the two way communication that he will require his advice.
3.3 The referee will then outline to the TMO the exact nature of the problem nd the advice required. The TMO should repeat the referee’s request to ensure the message is correct.


Examples of requests for advice:

“the maul went over the goal line. I did not see the ball touch the ground
and I did not see which team was in possession could you please advise.”

or
“I am entirely happy with the touch down, please can you check if the

player’s foot was in touch prior to grounding and please advise.”
or

“I believe that a defender touched down and I believe I award a 22.
Please advise”

“I believe that a try was scored could you please advise”
“I believe the attacking side grounded the ball and scored a try unless you tell me otherwise”

3.4 The TMO will then liaise with the TV Director and look at all available footage in order to gather enough information in order to provide informed advice.
3.5 The broadcaster must provide all the angles requested by the TMO.

3.6 When the TMO has concluded his analysis he will provide the match
referee with his advice and recommendations. The match referee should

repeat the TMO’s recommendation to ensure that he is absolutely satisfied
that he has heard what has been recommended.

3.7 The TMO will then advise the referee as to when he may go ahead and
signal his decision. (This process is essential in order to allow time for TV to focus their cameras on the referee for his decision).

3.8 The referee will then communicate his decision in the correct manner. Play will then continue and the time clock restarted.
3.9 Where large on-ground video screens are available the TV Director may

also communicate the decision.
3.10 In the absence of a video screen some grounds may use Red and Green

lights to advise the crowd.
3.11 The important and primary method of communication still rests firmly with the referee who will indicate in the normal way after receiving the TMO’s advice.

Source: IRB by email