SANZAR refereeing boss Lyndon
Bray has pulled no punches over the poor standard of refereeing in recent
weeks.
Although Bray, the SANZAR Game Manager, did not name individuals, it is
noteworthy that Australian Rohan Hoffmann is conspicuous by his absence from
this week's appointments.
Hoffmann has been widely criticised for his handling of the Waratahs' 33-18 win
over Sharks in Sydney at the weekend.
In a media release SANZAR confirmed they had the opportunity to "review
each match" and announce referee appointments for the forthcoming weekend.
"While we acknowledge that the match officials cannot get it right all of
the time, there are some basic standards that have simply not been upheld over
this past weekend," Bray said.
This, he added, resulted in some disappointing decisions and selection
consequences.
"A thorough and robust system is in place whereby the development and
performance of each match official is reviewed by SANZAR and its member unions
on a daily basis and like any athlete participating in elite competition, our
referees are accountable to performance levels for the competition," Bray
said.
"Appointments are made weekly based on performance reviews from the
previous round but also includes an evaluation of the current form of each
official over the term of the competition.
"We have completed our reviews from the weekend and have followed strong
internal processes as we prepare our team to reach their physical, mental and
technical peaks as we head into the critical last four rounds of the regular
season and Super Rugby play-offs.
"Public confidence in match officials is essential to the ongoing success
of our product and we will continue striving to enhance the quality and
accountability of refereeing across all SANZAR competitions."
Super Rugby appointments Round
15:
Chiefs v Bulls at Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Referee: Chris
Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant
referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Aki Aso (Japan)
TMO: Glenn
Newman (New Zealand)
Reds v Sharks at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Angus
Gardner (Australia)
Assistant
referees: Matt O'Brien (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore
(Australia)
TMO: Peter
Marshall (Australia)
Blues v Hurricanes at Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Nick
Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant
referees: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand), Aki Aso (Japan)
TMO: Aaron
Paterson (New Zealand)
Waratahs v Crusaders at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Marius
van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant
referees: James Leckie (Australia), Michael Hogan
(Australia)
TMO: Peter
Marshall (Australia)
Force v Highlanders at nib Stadium, Perth
Referee: Andrew
Lees (Australia)
Assistant
referees: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia), Graham Cooper
(Australia)
TMO: Ian
Smith (Australia)
Cheetahs v Lions at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Jaco van
Heerden (South Africa)
Assistant
referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Lourens van der
Merwe (South Africa)
TMO: Marius
Jonker (South Africa)
Stormers v Rebels at Newlands
Referee: Stuart
Berry (South Africa)
Assistant
referees: Quinton
Immelman (South Africa), Rodney Boneparte (South Africa)
TMO: Deon
van Blommestein (South Africa)
