SANZAR 'axe' errant refs
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 the main appointments this week.
Hoffmann has been widely criticised for his handling of the Waratahs' 33-18 win over Sharks in Sydney at the weekend.
He has been dropped to the 'bench' – where Hoffmann will be an assistant in the encounter between the Western Force and Highlanders in Perth.
Another Australian match official, TMO George Ayoub, has been dropped from the matchday group altogether after his contribution to the match-official farce that took place between the Waratahs and the Sharks last week.
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)
