Steve Walsh to referee the 2012 Super Rugby Final
Roar Guru Related coverage
SANZAR has announced that referee Steve Walsh will be the whistleblower for the 2012 Super Rugby Final between the New Zealand Conference champions the Chiefs, and sixth placed wildcard finisher the Sharks.
The Final which takes place on Saturday, 4 August at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, will be Walsh’s first Final.
“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.”
Super Rugby Final:
Saturday, 4 August, 2012
Chiefs v Sharks
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand
Kick Off (1935 local, 0735 GMT, 1735 NSW/ACT, 0935 SAT)
Referee Team:
Referee Steve Walsh
AR Craig Joubert
AR Keith Brown
TMO Garratt Williamson
Have you seen the new Wallabies jersey? Want one of your own? We're giving away a brand new 2013 Wallabies jersey to one lucky Roarer, click here to go in the running to win.
The Crowd Says (17) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- Rugby Union, Super Rugby
July 30th 2012 @ 12:12pm
Colin said | July 30th 2012 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
Great choice – I don’t doubt his fairness. Earlier on in his career he was a shocker, but he’s definitely got it all together now.
July 30th 2012 @ 12:33pm
Royce Strauss said | July 30th 2012 @ 12:33pm | Report comment
Not the worst choice. Thank f… it isn’t Craig Joubert though. He may be a South African, but he would have gone out of his way to not look biased. He purely looks after #1 and avoids as much scrutiny as possible (rwc11 final anyone?)
What has happened to Mark Lawrence btw? He is easily the best ref that encourages the most free flowing rugby.
July 30th 2012 @ 1:30pm
tugboat said | July 30th 2012 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
Hes still neutral
Why is it not aussie ref
July 30th 2012 @ 1:30pm
tugboat said | July 30th 2012 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
Not neutral i meant
July 30th 2012 @ 5:45pm
Ian said | July 30th 2012 @ 5:45pm | Report comment
Definitely not neutral having lived most of his 40 odd years in NZ. Only came to Aus in 2009. However, he is a good ref and I’m confident he’ll do a good job.
Where’s Spiro now with his constant harping of referee bias (and don’t try and hide behind the fact that he’s been in Aus the past 3 years, because you wouldn’t if it was a Saffer in the same position)!
July 30th 2012 @ 5:56pm
biltongbek said | July 30th 2012 @ 5:56pm | Report comment
I reckon it very much depends on the teams involved before Spiro shows concern.
July 31st 2012 @ 6:38am
Kuruki said | July 31st 2012 @ 6:38am | Report comment
Ian The Chiefs actually asked for Craig Joubert so i reckon this is about as neutral as it gets. They didn’t want this guy because of the brand of rugby he generates with his whistle. This is a good appointment for the Sharks if anything. The Chiefs want a free flowing ref like Joubert
July 30th 2012 @ 3:42pm
biltongbek said | July 30th 2012 @ 3:42pm | Report comment
I think he will do a good job, he has been decent this season. He does get whistle happy now and again, but once he saw himself a few times on the big screen he relaxes.
July 30th 2012 @ 6:22pm
DC of nz said | July 30th 2012 @ 6:22pm | Report comment
The problem with the great game of union is that armchair critics harp on about refs too much ..along with fox sports commentators…
Go the chiefs ! Mind you if the Sharks win they will be deserved champions !
Next year watch out for the Canes !
July 30th 2012 @ 6:29pm
Jutsie said | July 30th 2012 @ 6:29pm | Report comment
And ex national coaches
July 30th 2012 @ 6:34pm
biltongbek said | July 30th 2012 @ 6:34pm | Report comment
I heard a little birdie tell me Pieter de Villiers likes the structure and gameplay of the waratahs, he is applying for the head coach position there.
July 30th 2012 @ 7:04pm
jeznez said | July 30th 2012 @ 7:04pm | Report comment
now you are just being mean!!!!
July 30th 2012 @ 7:24pm
biltongbek said | July 30th 2012 @ 7:24pm | Report comment
Just a tad. But just imagine the possibilities.
July 30th 2012 @ 10:17pm
Red Block said | July 30th 2012 @ 10:17pm | Report comment
What! Bryce Lawrence didn’t get the nod?
–
Comment left via The Roar’s iPhone app. Download The Roar’s iPhone App in the App Store here.
July 30th 2012 @ 11:10pm
biltongbek said | July 30th 2012 @ 11:10pm | Report comment
He was going to get the nod if the final was in SA, but when he found out it is in NZ he declined.
July 31st 2012 @ 9:39am
Cattledog said | July 31st 2012 @ 9:39am | Report comment
Steve Walsh for my mind is a ref with a good affinity with the game and players. He understands what players are trying to achieve and tends to reward positive play and penalise negative play, which is exactly what you want refs to do. I enjoy the quirkiness of his body language. Watch his head when something appears to occur, he will cock it to the side in recognition that he’s seen it but has decided to let it go, such as a pass that the crowd deemed forward but he’s decided that the pass wasn’t forward. It’s like watching the thought process taking shape.
I certainly hope he has a good game. The Chiefs would have to be in the box seat but should the Sharks get up, what an outstanding victory it would be, considering the travel!
July 31st 2012 @ 11:05am
chuck said | July 31st 2012 @ 11:05am | Report comment
Aussie Steve lets hope the officials support him T,M.O has too be on his game .
Chiefs have too play whats in front of them and take Steve out of the the equation urinate in his pocket now again go a long way its better then confrontation with him because he will kick butt .
Chiefs have to be very discipline not stupid carry on like they did against the crusaders Michalak will turn it into points.
Chiefs too win, but if the sharks can do it they would throw all the experts theories out the window coming from south africa
and never playing finals in front of their home crowd is pretty impressive stuff to win it and it will generate egos to the national team.