Nikola Matawalu's denied try shows video referees are used far too much as England edged out Fiji in Rugby World Cup opener

By Sir Clive Woodward for the Daily Mail

Published: 16:00 EST, 18 September 2015 | Updated: 19:05 EST, 18 September 2015

I'm a fan of the television match official, it contributes massively to the game when it is correctly used. But there could be trouble ahead if we have a repeat of what happened when Nikola Matawalu was denied a try in the first half.

To the naked eye it looked like a try, referee Jaco Peyper and his officials clearly thought it was a try, and I don't think many in the crowd had cause for doubt.

Only when Ben Volavola was lining up the conversion did a camera angle come up on the big screen which suggested there might have been a problem. 

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Referee Jaco Peyper signals for a review by the television match official during England's win over Fiji

Referee Jaco Peyper signals for a review by the television match official during England's win over Fiji

Fiji's Nikola Matawalu scores a try which was later disallowed after being referred to the TMO

Fiji's Nikola Matawalu scores a try which was later disallowed after being referred to the TMO

Peyper awards England a penalty try as the hosts began their campaign with a nervy win at Twickenham

Peyper awards England a penalty try as the hosts began their campaign with a nervy win at Twickenham

TELEVISION MATCH OFFICIAL 

Referee Jaco Peyper was criticised for his reliance on the Television Match Official - seriously slowing down the action.

12 mins: Peyper asks the TMO to take a look at a dangerous tackle on Jonny May. 

21 mins: We’re back upstairs again after Fiji lock Api Ratuniyarawa charges into the ruck without using his arms.

28 mins: Fiji scrumhalf Nikola Matawalu appears to finish superbly in the corner... but the TMO finds he’s dropped it.

29 mins: Nemani Nadolo beats Anthony Watson to Ben Volavola’s kick and touches down, but Peyper still double checks with the TMO.

52 mins: Peyper uses the TMO before penalising Tom Wood for a high tackle.

80 mins: The last check of the night as Billy Vunipola dives over to seal a bonus point.

As it happened, when the action was shown in 'super slo-mo' the Fiji scrum-half clearly lost possession of the ball momentarily and technically it was not a try. But for me that was too late — at least if we want a game that doesn't lose continuity all together.

I hear that the twittersphere was going berserk and I understand why.

Personally I don't mind waiting for the correct decision if the referee immediately has doubts and calls in the TMO straight away. But when he is that decisive, when he is adamant that he has seen enough and does not want the TMO, that is his call. He is in charge.

What we have to accept is that sometimes referees make a mistake and we can't be constantly reviewing their decisions — not just at try-time — or else we might be out there until midnight. For me, the way Peyper overturned his original decision was just a bit too random and asks the question when is the cut-off time? 

Another five seconds or so and the conversion attempt would have been under way. What if Fiji had converted the try and then the big screen finally showed the relevant action or the TMO caught up with it?

Replays showed Matawalu failed to touch the ball down while in full possession as Mike Brown put him off

Replays showed Matawalu failed to touch the ball down while in full possession as Mike Brown put him off

Technology doesn't always work perfectly, there can be delays. What if the 'mistake' was noticed two minutes down the line with the try and conversion up on the scoreboard and another passage of play well under way?

There has to be some consistency over this. Home advantage should not include the crowd reacting to big-screen pictures and pressuring the referee to review a decision that had been generally accepted.

One final thought for the time being on this. If a referee keeps on having to go to the TMO because he is not quite sure and he is not in the right position there will come a point when he has to come under closer scrutiny. Is he actually up to the job? That is the reality of the professional game at elite level

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT 

England didn't play well for long periods but they did still manage to keep cool and patient on a tricky night and actually the outcome was very good even if the performance was poor.

History could yet show that Billy Vunipola's 82nd-minute try was the most important moment of England's 2015 campaign.

A bonus-point win is not to be sniffed at against a team ranked ninth in the world and their campaign is under way. There will be a huge release of pressure after that.

History could yet show that Billy Vunipola's 82nd-minute try was the most important moment

History could yet show that Billy Vunipola's 82nd-minute try was the most important moment

England have got loads of stuff to work on ahead of the Wales match next Saturday and have a full week to get stuck in and correct things. Sixteen turnovers is too many. Eleven penalties conceded is too many. Three scrums lost is too many. They don't need to be told that, they will already be going over that in their minds.

Meanwhile, their other big opponents, Australia, don't even start their campaign until Wednesday when they play Fiji and, believe me, that time will drag a little with England already sitting pretty with five points.

SHOCK AND ROLL 

The rolling maul — especially from an attacking lineout — is virtually unstoppable when executed well, which is exactly what England did for their penalty try in the 13th minute.

The key on this occasion is that everything was done at a pace, which made it really difficult for the retreating Fiji forwards to join the rolling maul from an onside position.

From that moment there were just two possible results: an England forward would break clear and score or Fiji would try to stop England illegally and concede a penalty try. This time it was the latter, which had the added advantage of ensuring it was a seven-pointer not five. Given all that I'm a little surprised England didn't use it a little more.

England move forwards before being awarded a penalty try in the first half against Fiji 

England move forwards before being awarded a penalty try in the first half against Fiji 

MESS AT THE SCRUM 

The England scrum is still not operating at full strength and is not giving Ben Youngs the platform he wants.

It was worrying to see England shoved off their own ball on a scrum five on their line for the Fiji try in the first half.

That kind of possession had to be rock solid, clean strike straight back to No 8. Control and release.

Instead England got shoved off the ball and Fiji's dangerous attackers went to work.

That was a really classy crossfield kick by Volavola to give the big man Nemani Nadolo every chance of soaring high for the try. But make no mistake that was poor play by England and a gift of a try.

The England scrum is still not operating at full strength and must improve as the tournament progresses

The England scrum is still not operating at full strength and must improve as the tournament progresses

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