darthbok says...

this is just an unofficial apology by the RFU for the castastrophe of the Bryce lawrence affair - its called ` bending over backwards with a stiff upper lip`-- limbo dancing for the holier than thou- it was probably only under great pressure and with the greatest reluctance , that bryce was hoofed. Now for some decent refs ----bring on alan Rolland ----!

Posted 18:28 26th July 2012

KiwiJoe says...

Joubert did OK in RWC and should do well but Steve Walsh may be a bit biased toward NZ and should be replaced by Bryce Lawrence.

Posted 23:23 23rd July 2012

new_j4a says...

@daibok some supporters of the kiwi teams might hope that the sharks win the semi so that the Sharks travel....the ref "conspiracy" theorists speculate that a ref who was kicked out of the NZ ref setup might still harbor such strong positive feelings for his native land that he would jeopardize his career and sacrifice his integrity to give an advantage to a kiwi team by ensuring that the Sharks won and had to travel...Wow! It must be tough living with those paranoia demons.

Posted 20:50 23rd July 2012

new_j4a says...

@NHsaints ...and make up your mind....Is he consistent? Or is he adaptable according to the team's desires? How can he be both? And how on earth does he determine " how the teams both want to play?" Pure and utter drivel.

Posted 17:23 23rd July 2012

daibok says...

Rugby_rockstar - I dont understand your comment. If the Stormers win then it is a Capetown final. Dont see how a Kiwi ref can influence that. If the Sharks win then I assume they will have to travel, regardless of which Kiwi side wins.

Posted 16:26 23rd July 2012

rugby_rockstar says...

So a Kiwi is going to have a say as to whether a New Zealand team plays the final at home or away... Stormers, you've been stiched up right and proper!

Posted 15:32 23rd July 2012

NHsaints says...

I reckon walsh has been the best ref in the world for some time now, he officiates well, is nowhere near as inconsistent as Joubert and he's not afraid to have a talk with the players and change his game according to how the teams both want to play.

Posted 15:03 23rd July 2012

TheTruthHurts says...

@saffastormer he's an ex-Kiwi, so our representation is not even that! Well played to the Sharks they were they better team!

Posted 13:15 23rd July 2012

saffastormer says...

@ olepete

I agree with you on them being the two best refs ATM,

I don't think any resonable fan can complain, its Kiwi vs Kiwi and Saffa vs Saffa so neutrality wouldn't really play a part unless to secure home final ?

Posted 10:38 23rd July 2012

olepete says...

@saffastormer, and he's really a kiwi. I like the approach that says they are appointing on competencs rather than looking for neutrality - these are the best two referees around right now.

Posted 09:07 23rd July 2012