Wired-up fans eavesdrop on ref

The crowd could listen in to players' conversations

An experiment to link up the referee with the Murrayfield crowd during Scotland's clash against Australia has been hailed a success.

Referee Chris White was able to explain his decisions to some sections of the crowd via a microphone relayed through mini-handsets in the stands.

The Scottish Rugby Union followed the example of some southern hemisphere countries and trials in the English game by introducing the "wired up" referee.

The experiment was designed to provide spectators with an insight into the game at pitch level that they would miss under normal circumstances.

Clear reading

White effectively outlined his offside decision in the ninth minute that lead to Matt Burke's opening penalty, to allow supporters a clear reading of the situation.

The system also meant the crowd could eavesdrop on conversations between the referee and the respective captains.

Scotland skipper Budge Pountney was often at a loss to understand the referee's decision, but White's explanations echoed around the stadium, leaving no-one in any doubt as to his reasoning behind them.

Rod Kafer - a referee in the making

And the paying public were made aware of an injury to Scotland's Tom Smith that would not have been apparent from the stands.

Subsitutions were also clarified by the system which usually involves checking the numbers on the players' shirts to determine who is on the pitch.

The experiment provided some moments of humour - notably when the White responded to Australian stand-off Rod Kafer's questions with: "You'll be a referee one day."

But voyeurs hoping to pick up on a stream of foul language when the the game began to hot up would have been disappointed that the strongest expletive on offer was "arse".