Video: There was a bound to be a fight in the first rugby match with ref-cam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4cYrEoB2-Y

Judging by this footage, the ref-cam in rugby will take a bit of getting used to, but you’ll do well to get a more close-up view when there’s a bout of fisticuffs taking place.

The ref-cam was trialled for the first time during the clash between Newcastle Falcons and London Scottish at the weekend, with the viewer able to see the game through the eyes of the match official on the pitch.

Inevitably, the footage was a little bit shaky, but you could still get a decent perspective on what the referee sees at set-pieces, having already been able to hear what they (and the players if they’re close enough) say at close quarters.

Given that it was the first game in which the experiment was trialled it always seemed likely as if there would be a dust-up of some sorts, but the camera was able to capture what went on without being in danger of being smashed by a stray fist or elbow.

You can get a brief glimpse of what ref-cam will be like in the video above and make your own judgement, but on first impressions it looks like it could be another interesting way to watch a rugby match... and an old fashioned rugby dust-up as well of course.