Captivating but confusing – what state is international rugby in?

From New Zealand’s dramatic victory over Ireland in Chicago to Wales’ stunning victory over Japan in Cardiff, the Autumn Nations Series has produced some excellent rugby.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s incredible performance for France, Argentina’s incredible comeback against Scotland, England’s rise as a global force, and South Africa’s impressive victories in Paris and Dublin cement their greatness.

However, there are also some issues, particularly regarding the use of the television game official [TMO], especially with regard to foul play.

Eddie Jones, the Japanese manager, has called the amount of time lost in the game “bright absurd,” while Chris Ashton, the former England wing, claims that the officiating has been “bang average” at times throughout the month.

Former Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris claimed the game felt “broken” after a game that lasted for more than two hours with five yellow cards and the hosts being at one point down to 12 men.

What can the sport do to get better, then, and why is it in this predicament?

The rugby union movement’s core embodies a paradox. A game that is inherently physical and, in some ways, dangerous, has experienced an existential crisis with numerous ex-players being sued by the game’s authorities.

In response, the law-makers have spent years attempting to stop dangerous play by giving referees authority to order illegal tackles with red and yellow cards.

However, rugby union at the highest level has never been more brutal, as the Springboks demonstrated when they destroyed Ireland at the Aviva, despite the desire to change the game from a collision game to one that is more of an evasion one.

Therefore, it is understandable that the authorities are on a red alert to prevent any potentially dangerous tackles or collisions. What results from this? referrals to TMO. . . . Time expended in the game. A complex and challenging sport that is already getting harder to referee.

What sport has a higher level of officials than rugby? asks Paul Grayson, the winner of the World Cup.

Without all the extra goings-on, “It is a very difficult game to officiate anyway.”

The NFL, with seven referees on the field and England’s top cap centurion Danny Care, is the only other game I can recall with that many contacts and situations.

The things that are happening off the field with referrals, TMOs, and bunker reviews are what are currently causing the game to slow down and be confusing, Grayson says.

In recent years, the powers-that-be have struggled to strike a balance between ensuring player safety and keeping the game moving while also handing the referee a helping hand.

The off-pitch official has 10 minutes to look over the footage in private and decide whether a yellow card should be upgraded to a red card while the game is on. The goal of the bunker system was established in 2023.

The 20-minute red card is meant to punish the offender rather than the paying punter, though. In an effort to prevent the spectacle from completely deteriorating, the guilty party can be replaced after 20 minutes.

The bunker and the 20-minute red cards seem like theoretical solid ideas, but they aren’t foolproof in practice.

Tadhg Beirne’s yellow card for the opening weekend was upgraded to a 20-minute red for the All Blacks. A disciplinary panel then overturned it.

A fortnight later, Franco Mostert of South Africa was sent off with a full red card for his part of the match against Italy.

Harry Hockings of Japan was redone for his team’s match against Wales on the same weekend, and Ireland fans were outraged as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the team’s talisman, avoided criticism for a clumsy challenge on Tommy O’Brien.

The officials have a reputation for being dishonest. The fans will shut off if there are too many TMO checks and stoppages. Coaches and supporters will also be tempted to blame them for any foul play that occurs on the field.

However, it’s been difficult to determine this month’s definitions of a penalty, a card, and the appropriate color for that card.

Even the most knowledgeable rugby fans are squirming their heads.

Ugo Monye, a former England and Lions wing, adds that “there needs to be a recalibration.” It seemed obvious what the decision should be on some of those decisions, but it seems like they were handled poorly this month. I can tolerate the bunker officials’ errors, but I have less patience for them.

One suggestion is to significantly reduce TMO interference, giving the on-field referee more authority to make quick and unmistakable decisions.

Another option is to employ top-notch TMOs to provide the best guidance to the field officials.

Officials who are centrally contracted to World Rugby could also contribute to consistency because referees interpret the game in different ways, from league to league, tournament to tournament, and from hemisphere to hemisphere.

Meanwhile, game legends like Eddie Jones have long advocated for limiting replacements in an effort to reduce collisions, open up space, and reduce fatigue.

Referees must start introducing pace to the game for Ashton.

He claims that the refereeing was “blank average” and that it is “frustrating me.”

“Luke Pearce excelled in the France vs. Australia game. He was immediately spherical with the game. The referee then permits a player to tie his shoelace for a minute while watching England vs. Argentina.

Steve Borthwick, England manager, thinks the international team is in poor health despite the concerns.

“I believe Test rugby is in excellent shape,” he said. He claimed in a podcast for Rugby Union Weekly that “there are so many games that end in the final quarter with just one score.”

“I watched the Ireland vs. South Africa game and found it fascinating. Yes, there were a lot of TMOs, but there was a lot of tension there. It is very good, in my opinion, from the perspective of the audience.

Monye goes on to say that we shouldn’t change everything and run the risk of changing the laws too much.

“For the most part of 18 months, I don’t believe there have been too many complaints about the game’s refereedness,” said one reviewer.

“But I do believe that this autumnal headwind has reached its peak, and I’m curious to see how it affects the Six Nations.” Not an overhaul, but a tweak is required.

The aforementioned Six Nations will be a highly anticipated classic, and there will also be the first Nations Championship in men’s basketball in 2026. There is a lot to look forward to.