Phone farce: World Rugby has 369 days to fix shambolic TMO before World Cup

World Rugby has 369 days until the Rugby World Cup 2027 opener on October 1 to fix what it described as a shambolic Television Match Official (TMO) process after a chaotic sequence during Australia’s 42-38 win over South Africa in Perth. The incident featured Italian referee Andrea Piardi on Tuesday?—actually Sunday night—after communications with the TMO broke down, with Piardi holding a mobile phone to his ear. The drama followed a high-tackle call involving Harry Wilson and raised fresh concerns ahead of a potential quarterfinal meeting scenario shaped by Australia’s pool clash with New Zealand. The goal is to avoid another “TMO-gate” embarrassment.