S15: Referee changes

There have been changes to the referees for this weekend’s Super 15 matches.

Steve Walsh, on his way to Europe for a Six Nations match, replaces Mark Lawrence at Newlands and Chris Pollock takes Walsh’s place in Melbourne.

SANZAR Game Manager, Lyndon Bray said the appointment was changed as Walsh, who is returning from injury, is on his way to Europe to referee a Six Nations Test the following week. He replaces Mark Lawrence.

Bray added that Pollock had been selected to replace Walsh on the Melbourne game as he was amongst the competition’s early “in form” referees.

Mike Fraser takes Pollock’s place on the line in Nelson.

The weekend’s appointments:

Crusaders vs Brumbies in Nelson
Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official: Kane McBride (New Zealand)

Rebels vs Sharks in Melbourne
Referee:  Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia), Andrew Lees (Australia)
Television match official: Matt Goddard

Stormers vs Highlanders at Newlands
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Marc van Zyl (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Hurricanes vs Chiefs in Wellington
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Joey Salmans (South Africa)
Television match official: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)

Force vs Blues in Perth
Referee: Nathan Pearce (Australia)
Assistant referees: Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Julian Pritchard (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)

Cheetahs vs Lions in Bloemfontein
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
Television match official: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)