The referee’s for the 2012 Super Rugby semi-finals have been announced, with Craig Joubert and Steve Walsh getting the nod to officiate the two derby clashes which will determine who takes part in the final the following weekend.
South African Craig Joubert will make his way to New Zealand to blow the game between New Zealand’s two best teams, the Chiefs and the Crusaders. Steve Walsh will officiate the South African derby in Cape Town, where the conference winning Stormers will take on the Sharks.
According to SANZAR Game Manager, Lyndon Bray, these two referees are rated as the best, and it come down to the two of them to blow the final the following weekend.
Super Rugby semi-finals:
Chiefs v Crusaders:
Date: Friday, 27 July
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off: ( 09.35 SA time)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan, Keith Brown
TMO:Garratt Williamson
Stormers v Sharks:
Date: Saturday, 28 July
Venue: Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: (17.05 SA time)
Referee: Steve Walsh
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper, Marius Jonker
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
I’m actually chilled about this. Walsh is up and down, but he’s by no means the worst any more.
So how do we know the ozzies know nothing about the rules of rugby?
They “bought” Walsh to be their international refereeing representative
@robdylan (Comment 1) :
I agree….it could have been worse.
@robdylan (Comment 1) : he tend to go with “Home town calls” quite a bit, but agree with you. Could have been worse.
Cmon Walshie… You owe us one after what you did in the 2007 S14 Final…
the sharks have been pegged as favourites to beat the stormers, from justin marshall, hamish riach, dave rennie, australians etc…everyone pointing to the sharks as victors…
@Megatron (Comment 6) : Sharks don’t do well as favourites.
Justin and co just want the Sharks to win as they don’t want the Kiwis to travel
@Megatron (Comment 6) : no matter what anyone says, this can go anyway round.
Out of a sharks perspective:
- Stormers not convincing in their last 3 games
- Stormers “weekend off” could be momentum breaker
- if Duane returns, out of form maybe?
- Sharks form and momentum
Stormers perspective:
- Home ground
- Returning injured players
- Sharks travelling
- Weekend off/resting
- Sharks to travel
It would be great if the sharks won, but this can go anyway round! Exciting times.
This is my final. Beating the top ranked team at home. And that after all the travel. The week after I see as impossible, but miracles happen.
Somehow it makes more sense to me that Joubert would ref Stormers – Sharks game.
@VanWilder (Comment 4) : according to the SANZAR guy – he’s one of the two who are the best
According to Rugby365: 4 best refs: Craig Joubert, Steve Walsh, Jonathan Kaplan and Jaco Peyper.
@rekinek (Comment 12) : Stuart Barry also one for the future. Jason Jafta aswell…