ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Research → Technology

The Technological Arms Race In World Rugby

That the game of rugby has been so quick to embrace technological change is to its credit, and has definitely led to a reduction in controversial results; something which is, despite all the financial implications of each game and huge global audience, still a huge problem in football.

ZME SciencebyZME Science
November 11, 2015 - Updated on November 16, 2015
in Technology
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit
rugby-673461_1280
Image: Pixabay

Rugby is certainly ahead of the curve when it comes to ushering in new technology. As soon as innovations are able to improve the game, whether through player training and performance or making the game better for spectators, they are brought in without a fuss. This is no truer than in the case of video referees, who since 2001 have been assisting the on-field official with tight calls and regular match-deciding decisions. That the game of rugby has been so quick to embrace technological change is to its credit, and has definitely led to a reduction in controversial results; something which is, despite all the financial implications of each game and huge global audience, still a huge problem in football.

Here are a few ways in which rugby is already leading the way in the application of technology, along with some things you can expect to see in the not too distant future.

[ALSO READ] Rugby Technology of the Future

Match Officials are Given All the Help They Need

The acceptance of video referees has meant that controversial decisions in rugby, where the fate of matches often rests on whether or not a ball has crossed a line, are almost a thing of the past. As well as confirming if a try has been scored or not, video replays are also used to assist in the administration of retrospective punishment.

[ALSO READ] How high tech analytics might change NFL forever

On top of extra officials watching the game on TV, referees are also equipped with microphones and cameras, meaning that players can’t get away with dissent in the way that they do in football. Ref-cam also provides an incredibly unique perspective when watching live coverage of a match – something which will only be rivaled when drones eventually begin to film the action from just above.

Muscular Sensors

Rugby is leading the way in real-time fitness observation. GPS monitors are widely used in sports, and can be attached to players to track their movement and see how much distance they are covering.  But sensors are also beginning to be used to keep track of specific muscles during training sessions, as coaches look to pre-empt muscular injury by observing the intensity of individual contractions live. In a sport as physically demanding as rugby the risk of injury is high, so it’s not surprising that any help medical start can get is being embraced

Concussion Detection

Companies such as Jolt are developing tiny sensors which can actively alert the wearer if they’ve been involved in a possible concussion-causing incident. A small wearable can be worn on the head, for example on the side of a scrum cap, alerting both medical staff and the player should a heavy impact to the head be taken.

RelatedPosts

Weapons of math destruction: plane delayed because university professor was writing equations
How smart are orcas? So smart that they can learn “dolphin”
Is Obesity a “Disease”? “No,” Says Editor-in-Chief of Childhood Obesity Journal
Greenland expedition discovers world’s northernmost island by accident

Hawk-Eye

The ongoing Rugby World Cup is being used to test the Hawk-Eye ball monitoring system applied in tennis and football, with a view to assisting video referees with tight calls faster. The system will detect if say, a ball or player has crossed the line, and should help to deal with the one complaint which can be levelled at rugby currently, which is that there are too many stoppages in play while video referees are consulted.

If rugby continues to welcome the latest advances in technology, then there’s no doubt that the game will improve. As players become fitter, faster, cleverer and stronger due to innovative training equipment and techniques, the real people to benefit will be the fans in the crowd.

ShareTweetShare
ZME Science

ZME Science

This post was written on behalf of the ZME Science editorial staff.

Related Posts

Archaeology

Archaeologists Found A Rare 30,000-Year-Old Toolkit That Once Belonged To A Stone Age Hunter

byTibi Puiu
59 minutes ago
Art

Scientists Crack the Secret Behind Jackson Pollock’s Vivid Blue in His Most Famous Drip Painting

byTibi Puiu
2 hours ago
Baluga Whales at Mystic Aquarium. Original image from Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress collection. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.
History

Operation Beluga — or how a Soviet ice breaker played music to thousands of ice-trapped whales to save them from starving

byAlexandru Micu
4 hours ago
Grass and sand near a water body during sunset.
Biology

China Now Uses 80% Artificial Sand. Here’s Why That’s A Bigger Deal Than It Sounds

byRupendra Brahambhatt
4 hours ago

Recent news

Archaeologists Found A Rare 30,000-Year-Old Toolkit That Once Belonged To A Stone Age Hunter

September 18, 2025

Scientists Crack the Secret Behind Jackson Pollock’s Vivid Blue in His Most Famous Drip Painting

September 18, 2025
Baluga Whales at Mystic Aquarium. Original image from Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress collection. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.

Operation Beluga — or how a Soviet ice breaker played music to thousands of ice-trapped whales to save them from starving

September 18, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.