RFU referees’ body says Austin Healey’s TMO call was not influenced but admits ‘regrettable’ mistake

The Rugby Football Union has claimed that TNT Sports pundit Austin Healey’s comments on the TV Match Official’s failure to review the possible foul on Saracens captain Owen Farrell because it was highlighted in the television commentary.

However, the Professional Match Officiating Team (PGMOT), which reviewed the incident during Saracens’ win over Harlequins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, said it was “regrettable”.

TMO Stuart Terheege was caught on a hot mic during the broadcast discussing why he did not want to check a possible episode of foul play involving Farrell. The former England captain was apparently caught off the ball by Harlequins’ Stephan Lewies, who had already picked up a yellow card.

Terheege could be heard over the microphone saying “my problem now is that it looks like Austin started it, because we’re late, so I don’t want to talk about it, okay”?

After TNT Sports later replayed the incident, Terheege, with his microphone turned off, was then heard telling the televised game director, “Oh come on, don’t show about it…” before his . The microphone was cut off or Terheege realized he was being heard on the broadcast.

In a statement, the RFU confirmed that Terheege asked TNT’s sports director to review clips around the incident in the background before he decides to call an official review of the foul play incident, or not, and also check simultaneously on the ground. Saracens tried.

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But the PGMOT review claimed that Terheege did not ask to review the incident again because he was “confident in his original decision”.

“Regarding the foul committed by Stephan Lewies on Owen Farrell, the TMO saw the initial contact from the ball,” the statement said. “He decided on the evidence that it was just a penalty advantage. As Saracens leveled, that advantage was deemed taken, so no further action was required.

“In response to Stuart’s initial request for images the director asked the TMO if he wanted to look at the incident again. The TMO refused, as he was confident in his original decision. At the same time, the TNT Sports commentary team also watched the replays and questioned whether Lewies’ actions warranted a review.

“TNT Sports sound directors can cut back on the TMO if there is a moment where viewers would benefit from their insight in their decision making. At this point, part of the conversation between the TMO and the match director regarding the requested replays and whether an official review was required was broadcast ‘live’.

“The conversation between TMO and the director that was broadcast ‘live’ was very unfortunate, they were not intended to be heard outside the broadcast truck nor were they the reason the fake incident was not formally reviewed.

“Terheege is disappointed that he allowed himself to be ruled out due to interactions with the broadcast team and did not communicate his decision to the match officials on the field.”

The RFU insisted that TMOs do not actively listen to or respond to the broadcast commentary team and “make their decisions independently, based on their own judgement, experience and in accordance with agreed World Rugby protocols”.

“However, due to their location at the games, they sometimes hear commentary,” the statement said. “The nature of the sound setup in some broadcast trucks and in some stadiums means the working environment varies from game to game.

“The incident was an unusual and unfortunate incident. The PGMOT, Premiership Rugby and TNT Sports are working closely together to ensure this does not happen again. There is a close and positive working relationship between the three organizations based on a mutually beneficial system that has worked for many years. All parties will continue to work hard to improve and further improve systems to ensure player safety and quality rugby.”

Telegraph Sport has learned that Ridley was not happy with the exchange during the game, and that the conversation between Terheege and the manager was broadcast to television viewers only. The referee on the field discovered the fallout related to the exchange immediately after the game and heard nothing on the field.