TMO heard appearing not to review Owen Farrell incident after commentary from Austin Healey pointed it out during Saracens win over Harlequins
The Television Match Official (TMO) in Saracens win over Harlequins appeared to be heard saying he would not review an incident after it was highlighted on television commentary.
TNT Sports co-commentator Austin Healey highlighted potential foul play from Harlequins’ Stephan Lewies on Owen Farrell.
The incident occurred with 13 minutes remaining of Saracens dominant 52-7 win over Harlequins.
Farrell had reacted angrily and confronted Lewies, with Healy highlighted the reason for the former England captain’s response.
Healy noted that Lewies may have slid into the ruck late and caught Farrell, with his comment heard as TMO Stuart Terheege was heard to ask for a replay.
Owen Farrell reacted angrily to Stephan Lewies during Saracens win over Harlequins
The TMO appeared to be heard suggesting he would not review Lewies clash with Farrell after Healey had highlighted the Harlequins’ players’ potential foul play
‘Owen Farrell being upset and it’s worth another look. (Stephan) Lewies comes in with his knees into the ruck. I think it’s worth another look,’ Healy said on TNT Sports.
‘I think six slides into the ruck really late with both of his knees.
‘Where he hits Farrell could be really interesting.’
Fans were stunned when Terheege appeared to suggest he would not review the incident due to Healy having highlighted the potential foul play.
‘The problem we’ve got now of course is that it looks like Healey’s instigated it,’ Terheege was heard saying.
‘The problem I’ve got now is that it looks like Austin’s instigated it because we’re late, so I don’t want to talk about it, OK?’
Viewers questioned how the TMO could hear TNT Sports commentary of the incident.
Healey upon reviewing the footage declared that it was a ‘yellow card all day long’, with the former England star determining Lewies should have been penalised for a no arms tackle on Farrell.
Healey later claimed on social media that the official’s ‘ego got in the way of ruling on fair play’
A replay of the incident was shown after Farrell had successfully kicked the conversion
A replay was shown after Farrell had converted Juan Martin Gonzale’s try with an official, believed to be Terheege, then heard saying ‘Oh come on, don’t show it because it’ before the microphone was turned off.
Healy commented on the decision by the TMO not to intervene in the incident post-match.
‘Think the TMO has had better days looks like ego got in the way of ruling on foul play,’ Healy wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
England star Joe Marler, who plays for Harlequins, also weighed in by labelling the incident ‘ridiculous’.
In a statement to the Telegraph, Premiership Rugby confirmed it will ‘review all incidents and follow the same process followed every week.’
Paul McNamara, ITV’s senior live director for major events, revealed last week that TMO’s sit alongside him when the broadcaster is showing matches.
McNamara told the Telegraph that the commentary feed to the TMO is cut when there is a review to ensure the official cannot be influenced by the commentators.
Saracens victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium lifted them above Harlequins into second in the Premiership table.
