Major League Rugby (MLR) announced on Monday that it will replace its existing Television Match Official (TMO) system with an AI‑driven Referee Review System (RRS) for the 2026 season. The new platform gives both referees and teams the ability to request video reviews in real time, cutting out the sole decision‑making role of TMOs.
How RRS Works
The system is triggered by either a referee or a team challenge. Referees can flag an uncertain play, while teams can raise a challenge using a flag similar to a coach’s challenge in American football. Once initiated, the on‑field official signals the start of a review, and an In‑Stadium Replay Operator (ISRO) – a neutral league‑certified analyst – consults the footage with the referee.
Benefits for Players and Fans
MLR’s goal is to reduce game disruption while maintaining fairness. By enabling quicker, on‑field decisions, the RRS promises fewer stoppages and more time spent cheering on the pitch. The system will be trialed in preseason matches before full implementation.
“The ultimate goal of RRS is to speed up the game and ensure fans are spending less time waiting on reviews – and more time cheering on their teams on the pitch,” said an MLR spokesperson.