Damasco - TMO with a vital decision

Italy's top referee, Carlo Damasco of Naples, was at the World Cup as one of the 16 referees from around the world acting as touch judges and TMOs. He had one huge decision and nearly made a different one.

All of Wales would have liked him to make a different one. It was the last try of the match, scored by Fiji. Wales were leading 34-31 till prop Graham Dewes plunged for the line and a try which knocked Wales out of the World Cup, a national calamity.

The try was not a clear-cut one as the referee Stuart Dickinson of Australia asked the television match official for help. Carlo Damasco had to examine the evidence and give advice. It was touch and go.

Damasco recalls: "Being the TMO is not a beautiful job. You can never relax. You need to be lucky and I have been lucky.

"For the final decision I was under very strong pressure. I was almost suggesting a 'scrum five' to Stuart Dickinson, but when I saw and the last image the hand on ball on goalline I had no more doubts and so I have called Stuart and I said to him: 'Stuart, I have decision. You may award the try.'

'When the next day I met Paddy O'Brien in the hotel, Paddy said: 'I didn't want to be in your situation, but you have taken a great decision. Well done, Carlo.'."

Damasco is the only Italian referee to attend a World Cup since 1995 when each country had an attendee at the World Cup.

He says: "Before leaving Italy I was sure I would meet a good group of referees in Paris. After a month spent with all of them I know for certain that I have been in the presence of gentlemen. I am certain that this experience will help me to my progress."