How far back can the TMO check play before a try?
Rule- South Africa
- SA Rugby
- World Rugby
- TMO protocol
- Elite rugby
- Senior
- World Rugby laws
- 2026/27
- Match officials
Under the World Rugby TMO Protocol (July 2026) there are two time limits for try-scoring reviews, and neither goes further back than the last restart (a quick tap or quick throw does not count as a restart):
Within the last 2 phases before the try, for:
- scoring (Law 8)
- obstruction (9.1 to 9.6)
- offside (Law 10 and the offside laws at kick-offs, rucks, mauls, lineouts, scrums, penalties and free-kicks)
- tackle complete (14.1 to 14.3), maul formation (16.2, 16.7)
- quick throw (18.3 to 18.7), taking a penalty or free-kick (20.2, 20.11)
- in-goal (Law 21)
A maximum of the last 2 phases or the last attacking passage before the try, for:
- dangerous play (9.11 to 9.28, except 9.19)
- knock forward (11.1 to 11.5), throw forward (11.6 to 11.7)
- touch (18.1 to 18.2)
Definitions
- 2 phases: only 2 rucks or mauls; play before a 3rd ruck or maul cannot be checked.
- Attacking passage: play since the last turnover in possession.
Updated 21 Oct 2026