Sanzar referees boss Lyndon Bray says he pulled Steve Walsh from Saturday’s Brumbies-Reds Super 14 clash in Canberra in the best interests of the game, and not because of the pressure caused by Matt Giteau’s comments.
And Bray has added further fuel to a fiery situation by calling for Brumbies and Wallabies playmaker Giteau to face a Sanzar disciplinary hearing and be held “accountable” for his inflammatory comments on Walsh.
Marc Hinton writes for Rugbyheaven Aus that Bray confirmed Sydney-based Kiwi ref Walsh had been withdrawn from Saturday’s Brumbies-Reds game and replaced by New Zealand’s Chris Pollock because of the controversy created by Walsh’s handling of the Brumbies-Waratahs clash in Sydney last Saturday night. The Tahs won the game 19-12 to put a severe dent in the Brumbies’ semifinal hopes.
Walsh made a number of contentious calls in the match, many of which appeared to go against the visiting side, and had a running battle with Brumbies skipper Stephen Hoiles throughout. Late in the piece he also ruled against what looked like a legitimate Adam Ashley-Cooper try without even consulting the video ref.
In the aftermath of the game several Brumbies complained about Walsh’s performance, with star playmaker Giteau being the most vocal.
“I don’t know if we will turn up,” Giteau told reporters on Monday when asked how the Brumbies would react if Walsh was not replaced this week. “What’s the point?”
Giteau was equivocal Walsh had made a major error when he turned down Ashley-Cooper’s late score. “Like everyone who knows rugby, that was a try,” he added.
Brumbies coach Andy Friend was a little more restrained in his criticism. “I thought the first 30 minutes wasn’t a very even contest,” he said after expressing his hope Walsh would be replaced for this week’s match.
But Bray has refused to condemn Walsh’s performance – though he did concede the Kiwi ref had an “average” game — and said the decision to pull him from Saturday’s match was because of more far-reaching implications.
“We have to look at what’s in the best interests of that game and what’s in the best interests of Steve as a ref,” said Bray on Radio Sport today. “We think it would be remiss to ignore what sort of environment is likely to happen if we left Steve refereeing the Brumbies and Reds.
“They’ve made it very untenable for Steve to be able work in that environment and we’re only being responsible to the game in saying this week should be all about the Reds and the Brumbies who both fighting for semifinal spots, and the last thing you want is this week being all about the referee.
“I think if we left Steve on that game that’s exactly what the outcome would be.”
Bray said Walsh had taken the decision well and had agreed that “you don’t want to be put in a situation where the environment is extremely negative even before you walk on the paddock”.
But Bray told Radio Sport that this should not be perceived as a victory for intimidation via the public and inflammatory comments from Giteau.
“That’s exactly why we have to bring the hammer down in my opinion,” he said. “I think [Giteau] definitely needs to face a disciplinary hearing on the comments.”
Bray said it would be “nice” if Giteau was suspended at least for this week’s match, but was happy to leave that decision to the appropriate judicial process.
“I just want him to be answerable for his comments and be accountable for that,” added Bray. “I’m not emotive about what happens to him just pragmatic about it, and the realty is he’s quite out of line.”
Bray said he had no issue with Giteau’s comments on the no-try decision, though he stoutly defended Walsh’s call saying analysis showed the whistle-blower had made the right assessment.
What was unacceptable, he said, was the personal attack on Walsh as a referee. “Where Giteau stepped over the line in my opinion is he’s gone on to a whole emotional aspect about not turning up.”
Bray conceded Walsh, who’s making a return to top refereeing after overcoming a battle with the bottle, had an “average day” in the Tahs-Brumbies match, mostly around game management.
“He would have loved to have had far better outcomes at scrum time… and unfortunately he lost Stephen Hoiles and that’s partly about Mr Hoiles and partly about Steve and he’ll address why that happened.”
But Bray was emphatic Walsh got it right on Ashley-Cooper’s scramble over the line – ruled a double-movement.
“The ruling was absolutely correct. He was four and a-half metres short when he lands in the tackle, rotated once which is fine (that’s momentum), then in order to get across the goal-line has got off his knees and launched over the tackler to force the ball.
“I don’t think you can for a second in law criticise Steve’s decision.”
Bray also backed his referee who he said will return in week 13 to control the Chiefs-Waratahs game in what is essentially a straight swap with Pollock.
“We think he’s done a pretty admirable job this year in getting back on the horse at this level,” said Bray. “Yes, he’s had a couple of games, like every ref has, where he hasn’t been at his best… but we back him and he’ll certainly be there in week 13.”
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But Bray was emphatic Walsh got it right on Ashley-Cooper’s scramble over the line – ruled a double-movement.
“The ruling was absolutely correct. He was four and a-half metres short when he lands in the tackle, rotated once which is fine (that’s momentum), then in order to get across the goal-line has got off his knees and launched over the tackler to force the ball
HA Take that!!!!!!!!!! Arrogant GIT!!!!!!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
You obviously haven’t seen it….
….the ‘arrogant Git’ …is totally correct.
…at no stage is momentum halted
….there are about 4 similar tries this weekend where players reach out short of the line and ground the ball.
…..Bray needs to be a bit more honest and say Walsh was totally wrong and his entire game management was a disgrace.
….if they think he is so flash push him back out there this weekend in the Aussie Capital.
…it was close to the worst refereeing performance this tournament.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) : When you see it let me know what you think…i’ll be interested
this is &%^&%$& ^*$&%#$#$&* why must sa teams accept their lot which in the sharks case has cost them a semi final spot while the &*$%^$#^& australians can do what the ^%&%^ they want. ^&*%*^s
anyone remember marks being kept for the next game. where is the consistency?
Giteau avoided a suspension but copped a AU$5,000 fine.
@try time (Comment 4) : He’s a very lucky lad…
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 2) : I watched that try and it seems like momentum carried him over. It also seems like Turner’s momentum helped him over the line too.
@lostfish (Comment 8) : I think it was a try….. but Lyndon Bray doesn’t… so who am i to disagreed
Steve Walsh has complexes (both). The correct decision would have been TMO to check the try or no try.
IMO it was a try. Walsh should be fined for not performing his job properly — TMO.
@Ernie (Comment 10) :
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 2) : Nope i haven’t seen it but from the description is certainly seems like Walsh got it right.
How you can say this is not more than one movement is beyond me. He was four and a-half metres short when he lands in the tackle, rotated once which is fine (that’s momentum), then in order to get across the goal-line has got off his knees and launched over the tackler to force the ball
Momentum requires ZERO movement your weight combined with the speed you had before the tackle will give you momentum to go over the tryline. rolling over, getting off your knees and then scoring is NOT momentum i’m afraid.
Also please do not confuse this with being close to the line and being allowed within the law to reach out and place the ball. reaching out and placing the ball is just that and bnothing more. it doesn’t allow you to put weight on your other arm or launch yourself forward off your knees or anything. It is ONLY reaching out and placing the ball where your body does not move.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 12) : Now that I have had the chance to watch it on the big screen it does look like Cooper had pushed himself with his knees, but it also looks like Turners momentum has pulled him over as well.
One thing I wonder about it where Walsh was on the field and at the very least he should have gone to the TMO because it doesn’t seem like he was close at all.
http://rugbyblips.dailyradar.com/video/adam-ashley-cooper-disallowed-try-against-the-waratahs-1/
@lostfish (Comment 13) :
Thanks for the video.
EVERYONE look at 2:06 in the video at how Cooper’s knees pump twice on the ground. Did momentum do that to his knees?
GOOD CALL STEVE WALSH. And don’t be influenced by the 2nd most biased commentators in the world , with the worst being cokehead vd Westhuizen
@KSA Shark © (Comment 12) : @lostfish (Comment 13) :
For me it’s all one movement. End of !
If we are going to go around penalising things like that …..heaven help us.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 14) :
Shocking call !
Then there are the 23 Scrum penalties and free kicks
@lostfish (Comment 13) :
@Ernie (Comment 10) :
The TMO cannot make the call on whether that was a tackled player not releasing the ball double movement.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 16) :
By me or walsh?
look at 2:06 in the video. I rest my case.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 17) :
DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are a guy you can’t change the subject just because you are being edged in the current subject.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) :
You….and i rest my case !
…but i won’t argue the point with you.
It just seems wrong to me that we watch 80 minutes of rugby and the only try we get is because the opposite winger has a pulled hamstring and can’t run.
….then we go around ruling tries like that out.
….and as for the debacle at scrum and ruck time it may be time for some major overhauls there as well.
….the game refereeing wise is so random all the calls are just so 50/50
….time for the dominant pack to be rewarded not penalised for being too strong.
….and time for if your on your feet you can play the ball if you come from the last foot….. get rid of this imaginary gate …what a joke it doesn’t exist.
….. Walsh said on Saturday your gate entry is too wide get it narrower…how can you when no one can see it.
There is nothing like a good game of Rugby League after a game like this….at least everyone understands the rules.
PS It should have been a try !
i’m going for a walk in the fresh air….think i need it !
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) :
I agree with KSA Shark.
He didn’t place the ball immediately when he went to ground (and was being held)
He pumped his legs once before he placed the ball over the line.
hi guys,
do you remember this article of Rugbyguru analysing Walshe’s parformance in an earlier Waratahs game. He must feel not too bad now.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 21) :
Just to correct you there… It is NOT rules.. it ARE laws!!
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 23) : are you on holidays ? there is no fresh air in London
@wpw (Comment 26) : perhaps this is why nobody understands it
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 7) : isn’t Marks off S14 duties though.
@wpw (Comment 24) : @wpw (Comment 26) :
Go away
…PS Your getting smashed in the weekend
@rekinek (Comment 27) :
Don’t be fooled …beautiful here today !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 31) : ya you guys going into summer.
it was pretty miserably long weekend here – but it looks like the sun is back.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 30) :
Still very much Spring …but lovely.
….where’s here …Durban
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 33) : noop. the beautiful city of Johannesburg
@rekinek (Comment 34) : Interesting…you hear such mixed things about Jo’burg !
I’ve never been there so i wouldn’t know !
I hope to get to South Africa to watch the All Blacks one day …soon !
PS Just ordered my RWC Tickets very excited !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 35) : i am jelaous
(about RWC tickets)
What about 21 August – I think the test RSA /NZ is in the Coke tin and you can see for yourself
This beautiful city was a bit tongue and cheeck because of so many mixed reviews. I like it, it’s dynamic and things happen here, but apparently if you have sea or mountain you can live with nothing happening
@rekinek (Comment 36) : I hear what you are saying….I love London for that dynamic …for me it’s the most exciting place to be….there is something for everyone.
Not great for kids though…when they are a little older i think it gets a little better.
August 21 may be a little close for me….i’ll give it a year or two….and do a whole tri-nations.
@rekinek (Comment 34) :
Johannesburg??????????????? and you have the cheek to say HH doesn’t have any frsh air.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 39) :
I’ve calmed down now ref
@KSA Shark © (Comment 39) : You coming to the RWC….maybe a little bit of drugs testing
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 35) :
You lucky SOB (said in the best possible terms)
Wait until the Boks play the ABs in Dbn. I have season tickets and will offer you two of them for free if you come down to Dbn at your own expense.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 41) :
Have been looking to see how much packages are but i can’t see any packages available yet. Kette has a brother in Auckland and a Sister in Rotorua. So it COULD be a possibilty
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 40) : retired.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 42) :
We have a new stadium being built in Dunedin to replace Carisbrook which is racing against the clock to be ready in time.
I have applied for 4 Tickets to the three games in Dunedin.
There are no guarantees on getting them …but should be ok.
We have:
Ireland v Georgia
Scotland v Italy
England v Pacific Qualifier….
…that’s all a guess but i think i’m close….very excited.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 43) :
So your are just about half Kiwi….how much longer will you be in the Gulf
….then what Dunedin maybe …bit far away from Auckland and Rotorua though
@KSA Shark © (Comment 42) :
I look forward to returning the favour one day soon !
I would love to see the AB’s in Durban …one day !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 45) :
England game should be a good one. I can wear one of my English Jerseys.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 42) :
I’m looking at getting season tickets at our new Stadium
@KSA Shark © (Comment 48) :
Who are in contention as pacific qualifiers?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 48) :
I knew you were going to say that !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 47) : @Hertford Highlander (Comment 47) :
I was there in 2007
We lost.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 51) :
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 46) :
I want to be here until I retire. I am 41 now so hope to be out of here by 55/56
@KSA Shark © (Comment 50) : I think it must be the same old suspects.
Samoa….Tonga….Fiji
From memory it’s just about the same pools as last time isn’t it
So my guess is that it will be England v Samoa
PS
How many times have the AB’s or Bok’s played Samoa in Samoa
Wow ….that’s a long time…
…..what location takes your fancy retirement wise !
@KSA Shark © (Comment 54) : I’m 41 as well …snap
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 55) :
That is what I thought but all three of them are already in.?????????
Pool A – NZL, FRA, TGA, CAN, AS1
Pool B – ARG, ENG, SCO, GEO, PLW
Pool C – AUS, IRE, ITA, RUS, USA
Pool D – RSA, WAL, FJI, SAM, NAM
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 55) :
let me go an have a look. NOT many
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 57) :
Gee you’re old!!!!!!!!!!
I only turn 41 in 19 days time.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 56) :
USA
@KSA Shark © (Comment 61) :
They are in Pool C
@KSA Shark © (Comment 61) :
Must dash bath time to referee
…kicking off on the other thread let you go and sort that out.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 58) :
AS1 is from Asia – Arabian Gulf, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan.
PLW is Play Off winner – As set out below
Asian 5 Nations winner qualifies directly to RWC 2011 as Asia 1
Asian 5 Nations runner-up plays in Final Place Play-off (under the play offs for the final place as set out below.
Final Place Play-off
2010
Winner Europe (FIRA-AER) Round 6 v Loser Africa (CAR) Final – hosted by the country with the highest IRB World Ranking at time both teams are known
Loser Americas Play-off v Runner-up Asian 5 Nations 2010 – hosted by the country with the highest IRB World Ranking at time both teams are known
FINAL
Winner Europe/Africa v Winner Americas/Asia – Home and Away – Winner qualifies for RWC 2011
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 63) : on my way.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 59) :
SA v Samoa have never played IN Samoa.
09 Sep 2007 South Africa 59 – 7 Samoa (RWC Parc des Princes, Paris)
09 Jun 2007 South Africa 35 – 8 Samoa (Pre RWC Ellispark)
01 Nov 2003 South Africa 60 – 10 Samoa (RWC Suncorp Brisbane)
06 Jul 2002 South Africa 60 – 18 Samoa (Pretoria)
10 Jun 1995 South Africa 42 – 14 Samoa (RWC Ellis park)
13 Apr 1995 South Africa 60 – 8 Samoa (Pre RWC (Ellispark)
@KSA Shark © (Comment 66) :
Results from here: http://www.rugbydata.com/ Run by a guy who used to live in Kuwait, not sure where he is now, need to actually track him down again. a VERY comprehensive site if you are looking for different head to head results for teams.
Venues, from here: http://www.genslin.us/bokke/ probably the most complete Springbok Rugby history site in existance.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 59) :
03 Sep 2008 New Zealand 101 – 14 Samoa
16 Jun 2001 New Zealand 50 – 6 Samoa
18 Jun 1999 New Zealand 71 – 13 Samoa
07 Jun 1996 New Zealand 51 – 10 Samoa
31 Jul 1993 New Zealand 35 – 13 Samoa
Venues?
Just watched the clip. No try imo. His legs are pumping furiously whilst he crawls over the line.
Thank You.
@McLovin (Comment 69) :
no my friend. thank YOU
I thought I was on my own with this. 
If you guys play SB don’t forget to join the Sharksworld Superbru T20 CWC. 1st match is Friday.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 70) :
@KSA Shark © (Comment 54) : @Hertford Highlander (Comment 57) : good morning oupaas
@KSA Shark © (Comment 39) : the breeze from durbs coming
@rekinek (Comment 73) :
I assume the word oupaas is a derogatory term for an old person
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 74) : not at all
. unless there is something I don’t know 
– it simply means grandfather in Afrikaans, and it does refer to old person but not in a bad way.
@rekinek (Comment 75) :
What am i doing on this South African Blog anyway
Well i’m a little way off becoming a Grandfather…KSA is a little closer…..but not by much
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 76) : you are making it multinational (BTW: pssst … I’m Polish – don’t tell anyone
@rekinek (Comment 77) :
I’ve visited Poland a couple of times….mainly Warsaw !
Loved it !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 78) : and who wouldn’t
we have some 
national products.
I’m from the south (we don’t love Warsow
) just joking. bit of provincionalism creeping in 
@rekinek (Comment 79) :
I also visited Krakow on holiday…that’s in the South are you from anywhere near there
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 80) : i studied in Krakow – very important that your faculty is higher in rankings than Warsow Uni.
but I’m from Katowice – about 60ks from Krakow – if you wandered there there is a possibility something is not that good with you
@rekinek (Comment 81) : @Hertford Highlander (Comment 80) :
I’m from the Cape Flets!!
@wpw (Comment 82) : nobody is perfect
@wpw (Comment 82) :
Morning Wes
Is that a region of Cape Town
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 84) : i almost rushed with the answer but then considered and …. let Wes explain ….
@rekinek (Comment 85) :
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 86) : i will tell you if he fails. don’t want to spoil the fun.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 88) : this waiting is killing me
have a look at wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Flats
it is basically a township. I don’t think Wes is from there.
@rekinek (Comment 89) :
Very interesting….i take it that Wes was just joking then !
I learn so much about SA on this blog that is not Rugby related….Rob will want me off
@rekinek (Comment 89) : @Hertford Highlander (Comment 90) :
I IS actually from there!!
@wpw (Comment 91) :
Rekinek was wrong then…i just checked it out….very interesting history….do you live there now or have your moved away.
….or are you in Durban now
@wpw (Comment 91) : Do you have the T20 Superbru pool code
@wpw (Comment 91) :
sorry then.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 93) : Sorted …my first go at Superbru…like it
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 93) :
Poolname : Sharksworld
Poolcode : dripgird
@KSA Shark © (Comment 96) :
Cheers sorted …haven’t made my picks yet
….can you make your picks right up until the game starts or is there a cut off time.