Blues Super Rugby coach Pat Lam has backed the IRB’s decision to conduct a trial to extend the jurisdiction of the video referee.

Under the trial, the television match official (TMO) will be able to rule on incidents in the field of play that have led to a try and also on foul play on the pitch.

At present, the TMO can be called to rule on only the act of scoring.

The IRB says the trial will be introduced later this year with the aim of having a protocol in place for the November Tests.

The mentor for the struggling Blues says being on the end of incorrect decisions can be hard to take.

“We’ve been on the wrong end of it a couple of times when everyone can clearly see that it’s not a try,” he said on Thursday.

“To have the technology to use is a good thing for the game.”

Lam was happy for the TMO’s powers to be extended to situations other than try-scoring, citing an incident in the Queensland Reds’ Super Rugby victory over the Chiefs last Sunday.

Reds fullback Luke Morahan escaped a yellow card after he lifted opposition centre Sonny Bill Williams in a dangerous tackle, because the officials failed to get his number.

Morahan stayed on and made a couple of try-saving tackles in a 42-27 win.

“The Sonny Bill one last week was a classic,” Lam said.

“Everyone knew who it was. You just need to ask. They should be able to go up and say, `Who was that, just confirm, great.’ Done.”

Lam also supported a series of five law amendments that the IRB says will be trialled worldwide, starting in August in the northern hemisphere and January in the southern hemisphere.

They include making sides use the ball within five seconds of it being available at the back of a ruck, a move that Lam said would speed up the game.