Australian referee Stuart Dickenson has done the honourable thing and retired from refereeing with immediate effect.
It’s a little unfortunate that the announcement comes about 10 years too late to save literally dozens of teams – most of them South African – from the vagaries of his inept whistling, but at least we know that the pain has finally come to an end.
No details have been forthcoming from the Australian Rugby Union as to what has prompted the decision. While we wish Stu well in whatever the future may hold, the announcement is tempered with just a little sadness. Only because we wish he were taking Bryce Lawrence with him!
Aww No more Stuey D?
I’m smiling, I know I shouldn’t be. but I am.
I’ll pour out a lil liquor for Stu: I know its what he would want.
Cheers Dick-en-son.
No beating around the bush by Rob here.
Add Steve Walsh to the list and I’ll be over the moon.
@Pokkel (Comment 5) : I know I should be nicer….
When a NZer got chosen ahead of him as Aus’s RWC representative, after all his years of service, I sure he must have felt just a little let down.
There IS a rugby god after all!!!
@Pokkel (Comment 5) :
Walsh has let himself down by behaving like a complete moron.
But I like him as a referee. Never had any major issues with how he handles situations on the field. With someone like Dickenson and Bryce Lawrence you got the feeling they were screwing one team on purpose.
Walsh was an alcoholic, which explains many of his off the field antics. He’s done well to turn his life around.
@hendrikp (Comment 9) :
I guess I still hold the 2007 S14 final against Walsh.
He’ll never be in my good books again.
@Pokkel (Comment 11) : +1. Million
@Pokkel (Comment 11) : +1 Centillion (I think that’s currently the largest named number). I hope to never, ever, ever see Pokkel cry again; it ain’t pretty.
@Culling Song (Comment 13) :
@Culling Song (Comment 13) :
Bye bye Stu the Dick.
At least he did one good thing in his career: ruling “no try” on Mark Cueto’s attempt in the 07 WC final.