NSWRU to probe fan punch incident

The yarpie is Steve Hardy, I think.

Yep got to agree with what you say about his man management. He's top shelf. There's another that of spotted somewhere too (must be the ABC), who sounds like he's got a Yarpie accent. Pretty good ref also. Anyone know who he might be? God how a good ref can just make the game a joy to watch and play. The players soon get the idea of what he wants and the game gets a move on.

Charge the idiots and put them in jail for 4 weeks no fines just jail. On another note why is Dave Harvey not playing S14? I know why Beau Robinson isn't playing S14 any more the Gordon back row demolished him

And he's not a bad player that Harvey. Qld could use a decent 12, surely? My understanding is that SWJ got sacked after turning up to a conference drunk. He'd had one warning, and that was it. Aust decided to give him a go and sign him on. Start at club level, see how you go, and we'll go from there. Good on the ARU/NSWRU and good on Steve walsh as well for being prepared to start at that level and work his way up. I assume the next step is him getting nominated for S14 games, by his employer. And I agree it's great for the club boys to have a ref with that level of experience reffing them.

I watched the entire match on the ABC and enjoyed Walsh's handling of the match , particularly his man management. He let the match flow which provided some exciting running rugby. As for the spectators. the Sun Herald on Sunday had clear pictures of the culprits - find them, charge them with assault, and ban them from rugby for life!

I think you're right about the health thing. I trust he's on the mend. Well if he's not wanting to become as involved with travel, etc, then maybe he's a good bloke for the ARU to have at helping to develop other referees, as he's certainly good at controlling the game. Seems that not using him is a real waste of ability, if he's willing that is.

Steve Walsh had some personal issues in his life at the beginning of the year which culminated in him turning up to the pre Super14 Refs conference drunk. It seems to have moved over here to escape them. As for the fools that got involed in the fight. They caught one in the carpark and the other got away. But the club officials were able to identify him and have passed on his details to police. Harvey from Gordon supposedly was upset about the issue but unhurt. Shame it took the gloss of a very good game.

Isn't Steve Walsh doing club time over here because he retired himself from provincial and international duties for health reasons? Thats what I seem to remember anyway from the papers about 6 months ago.

I saw most of saturdays game on the box. i am happy that the players are getting exposure to such a high class referree as Steve Walsh. One point I would criticise of Steve was in the opening minutes of the game a bit of front row "how do you do" spilled over the sideline with a 3rd party (I think from the rats) pushing a gay gordan into the steel fence. Fortunately no injuries occurred but Steve dissmissed it with a caution. Besides that I have always thought Steve was a top notch international ref. also, regarding the game, both teams really switch the ball blind side alot from open plays and it was obvious they were trying an open running style. was great to watch, full marks to the NSWRU and both teams.

Newsflash a comment by Greg Growden that we can all agree on. Taken from Rugby Heaven - " Referee Steve Walsh must also be congratulated for his mature handling of the situation, calling for security guards several times over his microphone and directing them to the culprits. Walsh is certainly being wasted in the club ranks and the sooner he is again refereeing at representative level the better." I didn't see all of the match on the ABC, so can't comment on his handling of the thuggery issue. Having said that, I've watched Steve Walsh a few times now in 2009 ref at club level and he controls games very nicely. Good communicator, clear consistent decisions, cool head and seemingly liked & respected by the players. Sounds the goods to me. I'm left wondering if the ARU plan to use him at International level or whether perhaps SW prefers to remain more low key. He's certainly someone that I'd like to see controlling the bigger matches. Anyone know the story here?

I hope they charge this guy with assault. It is as unacceptable for a spectator to attack players as it is for players to attack spectators. This is common assault not the action of a hot head carried away on a playing field. Or maybe if the club games are short of spectators we could have an all in brawl between the players from both sides and the spectators - that would bring a few of the supporters who miss the biff or more likely the Colosseum.

LAS That's not the image beeing shown on TV though, it shows the guy doing a runner out the gate with only one security guard chasing him.

go your hardest. I just liked the rugby justice that was handed out by those that chased the culprit and held him until the security arrived. Reminds me of the NZ crowds in the 70's who repelled the Anti Apartied protestors at a game who had broken through the fence and into the ground only to be driven out by the paying spectators. But what a game? Nerves, courage, cleverness and passion. Gordon were great and The Rats just never got into the game, or should I say, were never let into the game. Haylett Petty was great as was Harvey. Robinson was everywhere. why didnt The Qld Koalas sign him???? or even Gordon's Thomas.