frontrower says...

Nigel Owens should go too, If anything Owens perfornance was worse during the WC than Lawrence!!

Posted 00:57 25th March 2012

bokbevok says...

What a great day for rugby, finally he has gone but orb need to look at themselves as it was always going to be a disaster in world cup gone. Just look at all the controversy when introducing new rules and how inconsistent refs were and his dealing with the problem.

Maybe now the game can be riffed on the rugby and not how Nz play.

Wow this feels good.

Posted 00:43 25th March 2012

Dingbat32 says...

At last, a shake up in the weakest area of Rugby Union. POB started so well, being honest and critiqueing ref performances in public so that it felt open. He then went political and neither defended or criticised any ref, even if they need it. Some got away with murder (Bryce Lawrence), some were rehabilitated to a degree (Walsh), and some were not defended from some nasty slurs (Wayne Barnes).

The public dont expect perfection, they expect accountability. Wayne Barnes explains every decision there and then on the pitch. He is honest, if not the best ref. Same for Alain Rolland. If the players are thinking that the ref is a **** then the whole ethos of rugby falls apart.

Posted 23:09 24th March 2012

lawynd says...

I'm bemused that Wayne Barnes is dropped, but George Clancy and Steve Walsh remain - they're certainly no better. I hope Rolland is never allowed to referee a game involving France again, too.

Also, nice to see the old boy's club looking after its own by giving O'Brien a nice retirement...he doesn't exactly deserve it, does he?

Posted 22:13 24th March 2012

jontheref says...

"former elite referees Lyndon Bray, Tappe Henning, Donal Courtney and Clayton Thomas"

Tappe Henning?

The guy was by far one of the worst of his generation.

Along with pablo Deluca of Argentina, he was truly out of his depth.

I thoguht they wouldhave stuck with Barnes, as he was not the worst at this years 6N by a long shot.

So glad "foot in mouth" O Brien has gone, refereeing has not advanced under him.

He was more concerned on commenting on NZ games, and was totally influenced by NZ media.

Must have had a pretty good package, not to be shown the door, but to get a prestigious role on the 7's circuit.

Posted 21:56 24th March 2012

papachinzo says...

This made my year!! I wonder how many 'cards' the All Blacks will get this year?

Posted 20:58 24th March 2012