SANZAR has named the match officials for the opening four rounds of the Super 14 rugby competition, which kicks off on February 13.
Rugbyweek reports that Australian Matt Goddard will take charge of the opening match between the Highlanders and ACT Brumbies in Dunedin while Bryce Lawrence of New Zealand will whistle the meeting between the Western Force and the Blues in Perth on the same evening.
Craig Joubert of South Africa is in charge of a local derby when he handles the match between the Lions and the Cheetahs in Johannesburg to complete the last of the opening day fixtures.
The appointments are the first to be made following SANZAR’s ground-breaking decision in November to establish a panel founded on merit before nationality.
Referees are no longer prevented from refereeing their countrymen in opposition to another nation. The move was made to ensure that whenever possible, the best players would be refereed by the best officials.
There are four instances in the opening round of matches where the principle of ability has over-ridden merit. “We are very excited about this new initiative,” said Andre Watson, SANZAR’s manager of referees.
“The coaches and players have asked to be refereed by the best and that is what we are giving them.”
The referees are drawn from an initial panel of nine – which will be reviewed during the season – although Test duties, injuries and other factors may see a reserve panel being drawn on.
The high demand for SANZAR referees for the Six Nations impacts on the availability of the panel with southern hemisphere officials taking charge of seven of the 15 Six Nations matches.
That opens the way in round two for referees from the shadow and reserve panels to press their case for elevation. Paul Marks and Ian Smith – both of Australia – have appointments in New Zealand in round two.
Merit Panel (alphabetical order):
Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Matt Goddard (Australia), Marius Jonker (South Africa), Craig Joubert (South Africa), Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Mark Lawrence (South Africa), James Leckie (Australia), Steve Walsh (New Zealand)*.
Shadow Panel (alphabetical order):
Paul Marks (Australia), Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Ian Smith (Australia).
Reserve Bench (alphabetical order):
Phillip Bosch (South Africa), Keith Brown (New Zealand), Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Nathan Pearce (Australia).
*Note: Steve Walsh was not considered for selection at this point for the first four weeks of Super 14 due to a personal employment matter.
Match appointments for Round One
Date Friday 13 Feb
Match #1 – Highlanders v Brumbies
Venue – Dunedin
Time – 19.35
Referee – M Goddard (Aus)
Assistant Referees V Munro (NZ), K Brown(NZ)
TMO – S McDermot (NZ)
Performance Reviewer – G Wahlstrom
Match #2 -Western Force v Blues
Venue -Perth
Time -19.45
Referee -B Lawrence (NZ)
Assistant Referees -N Pearce (Aus), J Pritchard (Aus)
TMO -G Ayoub (Aus)
Performance Reviewer -W Erickson
Match #3 – Lions v Cheetahs
Venue – Johannesburg
Time – 19.10
Referee – C Joubert (SA)
Assistant Referees -P Bosch (SA), J Salmans (SA)
TMO -J Meuwesen (SA)
Performance Reviewer -A Schoonwinkel
Saturday 14 Feb
Match #4 – Crusaders v Chiefs
Venue – Christchurch
Time -17.30
Referee -C Pollock (NZ)
Assistant Referees -V Munro (NZ), K McBride(NZ)
TMO – S McDermot (NZ)
Performance Reviewer -G Wahlstrom
Match #5 -Hurricanes v Waratahs
Venue -Wellington
Time -19.35
Referee -S Dickinson (Aus)
Assistant Referees – K Brown (NZ), G Newman (Aus)
TMO – B Skeen (NZ)
Performance Reviewer – G Cooper
Match #6 – Stormers v Sharks
Venue – Cape Town
Time -17.00
Referee – M Lawrence (SA)
Ass Ref. 1 – P Legoete (SA), C Wessels (SA)
TMO – S Veldsman/ JC Fortuin (Tr.) (SA)
Performance Reviewer – W Erickson
Match #7 – Bulls v Reds
Venue – Pretoria
Time – 19.10
Referee – M Jonker (SA)
Assistant Referees – W Roos (SA), J Peyper (SA)
TMO – M Cupido(SA)
Performance Reviewer – A Schoonwinkel
Round Two
Friday 20 Feb
Match # 8 – Hurricanes v Highlanders
Venue – Wellington
Time – 19.35
Referee – K Brown (NZ)
Assistant Referees – V Munro (NZ), G Williamson (NZ)
TMO – B Skeen (NZ)
Performance Reviewer – G Wahlstrom
Match # 9 – Waratahs v Chiefs
Venue – Sydney
Time – 19.40
Referee – S Dickinson (Aus)
Assistant Referees – I Smith (Aus), D Mitchelmore (Aus)
TMO – G Ayoub (Aus)
Performance Reviewer – W Erickson
Match # 10 – Western Force v Cheetahs
Venue – Perth
Time – 19.45
Referee – J Leckie (AUS)
Assistant Referees – P Marks (Aus), J Pritchard (Aus)
TMO – G Acton (Aus)
Performance Reviewer – A Schoonwinkel
Match # 11 -Stormers v Reds
Venue – Cape Town
Time – 19.10
Referee – C Pollock (NZ)
Assistant Referees – C Joubert (SA), J Noonan (NZ)
TMO – M Cupido (SA)
Performance Reviewer – G Cooper
Saturday 21 Feb
Match # 12 -Brumbies v Crusaders
Venue – Canberra
Time -19.40
Referee – B Lawrence (NZ)
Assistant Referees – I Smith (Aus), B Bowden (Aus)
TMO – S Leszcynski (Aus)
Performance Reviewer – W Erickson
Match # 13 -Bulls v Blues
Venue – Pretoria
Time -17.00
Referee – M Lawrence (SA)
Assistant Referees – M Jonker (SA), S Berry (SA)
TMO – S Veldsman (SA)
Performance Reviewer – G Cooper
Match # 14 -Sharks v Lions
Venue – Durban
Time – 19.10
Referee – J Kaplan (SA)
Assistant Referees – P Bosch (SA), C Du Preez (SA)
TMO – J Meuwesen (SA)
Performance Reviewer – A Schoonwinkel
Round 3 and 4 appointments to follow as soon as they are available.
Tweet
Mark Lawrence in Round 1 and Kaplan in Round 2.
I can live with that. 😎
Every little event like this just brings the match weekend that little bit closer. 😎
There are four instances in the opening round of matches where the principle of ability has over-ridden merit. ❓
Is the merit list not based on ability? Or am I missing something and being dof?
@McLovin (Comment 3) :
I dunno, I read it the same way as you.
MAYBE if it was the other way around with merit having over-ridden ability then i could undertand it. As in the guy has the ability but he isn’t performing so on merit he is not there.
Note though that that little portion is NOT in ” ” So I am not sure who the author is but it wasn’t Andre Watson who said it. 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) : I can live with 5 points in Round 1 and 5 more in Round 2.
I do like the idea of the best ref for the job regardless of country. 😎
However I’ll be willing to bet good money that the losing sides will still bitch about the ref no matter where he’s from.
@McLovin (Comment 3) :
i think Merit should be replaced with either nationality or location.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
You sure?
Remember no Roos to help you out this time hey…
@MorneN (Comment 9) :
Roos to help US out???????? You are confusing us with The Bulls.
Just remember that mark Lawrence is Afrikaans so you better hope Luke doesn’t play for you guys. 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) :
It was old trigger happy Roos that removed Schalk Burger for you last year.
Twat.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) :
Nah, if we lose I hope we lose it because of Watson so the Newlands crowd boo’s him off.
@MorneN (Comment 12) :
I just hope he comes on as a sub so that the booing is loud and clear for all to see and hear around the world.
@MorneN (Comment 11) : That’s what happens when you don’t keep your monsters in control…don’t blame Mr. Roos… 😛
Round 3 and 4 courtesy of Rugby 365.
Round 3
Friday, 27 February
Crusaders vs Hurricanes in Christchurch
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Television match official: Kane McBride (New Zealand)
Assessor: Glenn Wahlstrom
Waratahs vs Highlanders in Sydney
Referee: James Leckie (Australia)
Touch judges: Nathan Pearce (Australia), Daniel Cheever (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
Assessor: Wayne Erickson
Saturday, 28 February
Chiefs vs Sharks in Hamilton
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Jonathon White (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Assessor: Glenn Wahlstrom
Brumbies vs Western Force in Canberra
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Touch judges: Nathan Pearce (Australia), Brett Bowden (Australia)
Television match official: Geoff Acton (Australia)
Assessor: Greg Cooper
Lions vs Bulls in Johannesburg
Referee: Phillip Bosch (South Africa)
Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Sindile Mayende (South Africa)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
Assessor: Greg Cooper
Stormers vs Blues at Newlands
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Touch judges: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Reuben Rossouw (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman/JC Fortuin (South Africa)
Assessor: Arrie Schoonwinkel
Reds vs Cheetahs in Brisbane
Referee: Ian Smith (Australia)
Touch judges: Paul Marks (Australia), Stephen Hill (Australia)
Television match official: Steve Leszczynski (Australia)
Assessor: Wayne Erickson
Round 4
Friday, 6 March
Chiefs vs Western Force in Hamilton
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)
Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Assessor: Greg Cooper
Waratahs vs Reds in Sydney
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Matt Goddard (Australia), James Scholtens (Australia)
Television match official: Geoff Acton (Australia)
Assessor: Wayne Erickson
Saturday, 7 March
Hurricanes vs Cheetahs in New Plymouth
Referee: James Leckie (Australia)
Touch judges: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Television match official: M Frazer (New Zealand)
Assessor: Arrie Schoonwinkel
Blues vs Sharks in Auckland
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Jonathon White (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Assessor: Glenn Wahlstrom
Highlanders vs Crusaders in Dunedin
Referee: Ian Smith (Australia)
Touch judges: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
Television match official: Shane McDermot (New Zealand)
Assessor: Greg Cooper
Bulls vs Stormers in Pretoria
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Willie Roos (South Africa)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
Assessor: Arrie Schoonwinkel
Brumbies/Lions: Bye
Chiefs vs Sharks in Hamilton
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand) 👿 👿
Touch judges: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Jonathon White (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Assessor: Glenn Wahlstrom
Blues vs Sharks in Auckland
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa) 😯 😯
Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Jonathon White (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Assessor: Glenn Wahlstrom
If Jonker referees this game thhe way I think he would then we are going to suffer. 🙁 Any 50/50 call will instinctavely go against us (conciously or subconciously) he will do his best to prevent being seen as blowing for his home union.