Man in the middle: Steve Walsh
SANZAR have confirmed that referee Steve Walsh will oversee the 2012 Super Rugby Final between the Chiefs and the Sharks.
New Zealand Conference champions will host the sixth-placed wildcard finishers at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.
Craig Joubert and Keith Brown will patrol the touchlines while Garratt Williamson is the video ref.
"Steve thoroughly deserves this appointment to the Final, having been arguably our most consistent performer in the middle, throughout this competition," said SANZAR Game Manager Lyndon Bray.
"Steve is in great form and he will contribute to what should be an outstanding Final."
Bray commented that it is always a proud moment for an official to represent the referee team in a Final.
2012 Super Rugby Final
Chiefs v Sharks
Date: Saturday, 4 August
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Kick-off 19:35 (09:35 SA time; 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Steve Walsh
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert, Keith Brown
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson
Comments
2eyedkiwi says...
Would have preferred Joubert, but I guess they needed an Aussie in the final...
Posted 08:28 30th July 2012
hayj05 says...
I'm a Kiwi & I used to be embarrassed of Welsh. Yes he refs under the Australian banner now but he's still a Kiwi.
But I've watched him for the last few months including the South Africa vs England series & he's probably been the most consitant, clear, & common sense bearing ref in the SH. He even praises players for good play lol.
Both touchline judges did a great job in that semi as well.
Of course I would very much prefer a neutral ref for the final but there isn't any true Australian refs up to scratch & I think it would be a huge mistake bringing in a NH ref. So here's hoping his integrity is not brought into question.
Posted 08:23 30th July 2012
passtheball says...
What a pity the game is played at night? Both teams are suited to an afternoon of running rugby while watching in the winter sunshine is preferable to chilly nights.
Both teams seem fair in their tactics so the ref should not have to watch out for sneaky tricks or outright cheating.
Posted 07:36 30th July 2012
swiwi says...
Fair play to Steve. He seems to have lost some of his "headmaster-school pupil" style of refereeing, and i thought he reffed the Sharks Stormers pretty well in the weekend.
Posted 07:16 30th July 2012