Henning explained, "We've got 25 match officials who will officiate in the middle and a group of 28 TMOs who will do the TMO role. I’m pleased to also share that our TMO process from last year will continue. That was the experimental law that World Rugby has given us permission to apply, where the TMO is the foul play review officer because we have the technology to independently review foul play incidents, and where we can then also apply the 20-minute red card in our competition, similar to last year. We are world leaders in that.”
The traditional TMO bunker, dependent on the host country's broadcast footage, is no longer necessary in the URC thanks to the adoption of Hawk-Eye and Mobi technology. This enhancement ensures officials have access to all necessary viewing angles, leading to improved decision accuracy and quicker reviews.
Hawk-Eye and Mobi technologies implemented in South Africa have demonstrated positive outcomes. The former referee added, “We have upgraded our facilities with Hawk-Eye and Mobi technology in South Africa to support that function, and we have seen some positive outcomes: an increase in accuracy and less time it takes to review.”
Another topic of discussion for Henning was the 2024 amendment of scrum laws by World Rugby, which removed the option to choose a scrum at free-kicks, influencing tactics at the set-piece. Henning noted, "Some teams aren’t comfortable with the changes; it is unfortunate that a strong scrummaging team can be almost nullified if a team is awarded a free-kick and a scrum can’t be chosen."
"When it happens in a particular part of the pitch, it is quite disappointing for teams that do have strong scrums. It is being monitored constantly, and we get feedback from coaches and players. As it stands, there are individual opinions about it, but it’s not being looked at to change it back. "
Despite the dissatisfaction expressed by some, the URC does not yet view the scrum law change as a major concern but remains vigilant. The league collects data on the frequency and impact of these incidents and is prepared to present findings to World Rugby for potential reassessment.
Henning's vision extends beyond the rule books and technology. His goal is for URC officials to foster a stronger connection with fans, counteracting any perceptions that referees are coaching players during games.
As the new season approaches, these adjustments and continuous monitoring underscore the URC’s commitment to enhancing the game's fairness and spectacle, marking it as a forward-thinking competition in the world of rugby.
