World Rugby plans to trial its first smart ball technology during the Under-20 World Cup in South Africa this June. The smart ball technology will track the position of the ball in 3D and real-time, up to 20 times per second, and provide officials with feedback on every kick, pass, and throw. The use of smart ball technology will help referees make decisions on forward passes, crooked throws at the lineout, tries grounded on the line, and touch points from kicks. The technology will work by placing beacons around the field, which would detect the ball’s exact position and send immediate feedback to the officials.
The data from the smart ball will also be relayed to the television match official for evaluation. The World Rugby is determined to remove any uncertainties around the matches by introducing innovative technology. In addition to the smart ball technology, World Rugby will trial a card review process at the tournament. The card review system will be used when a foul play call is not clear from initial replays. Instead of showing a straight red, a referee could show a yellow card that gives a second television match official a chance to have a detailed look at the incident with all angles available.
Developed by Sportable and Gilbert, the technology will help in enhancing decision-making of line outs, determining whether forward passes have occurred, and whether the ball has crossed the try line. The smart ball technology provides “the potential to help aid the flow of the game” and will speed up the “difficult officiating job” of referees, said Phil Davies, World Rugby’s director of rugby.
Although there are no plans for formal implementation at the Rugby World Cup in France later this year, the trial represents another possible stage in the development of the game. As announced by World Rugby officials, they hope that the smart ball technology will significantly improve the decision-making process during the match.
The U20 World Cup in South Africa in June will be the first time a live smart ball technology will be used in a match officiating capacity. While this technology is not expected to be used at the World Cup in 2023, it has already undergone testing to see its potential applications and collect data insights for broadcast and digital experiences.
This technology is a game-changer for the future of rugby. It offers a unique opportunity to enhance the game, improve officiating, and provides an entirely new level of analysis for fans and commentators. The Smart ball technology may not be introduced at the Rugby World Cup this year, but it is undoubtedly a promising start towards achieving a fairer and more accurate decision-making process for the sport.
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