The referees for the Super Rugby qualifying finals have been announced by SANZAR, with Jaco Peyper controlling the Crusaders-Reds game on Friday night and Glen Jackson in charge of the Brumbies-Cheetahs on Sunday afternoon.
This shows that SANZAR has seen, arguably, the detriment of installing ‘local, merit based’ officials for big finals.
As posted previously here on The Roar, we have seen referees selected for the finals based upon merit, leading to murmurs of discontent from the team on the wrong side of the whistle.
This should lead to these fears being removed by the above appointments.
For Qualifier A, Jaco Peyper has been given the whistle. Jaco has been in fine form this season, controlling many crucial games.
He is clear and concise around the breakdown areas and is able to relate well with both captains/players. He is confident in his decision making and performs well under pressure.
It will be interesting to see how he manages the front rows of both teams.
Qualifier B has Glen Jackson with the whistle. Contrary to some belief, I have personally been somewhat disappointed with Jackson’s performances this season.
There was a memorable shocker a few weeks ago whilst in charge of the Brumbies vs Reds match and has seemingly lost his ‘mojo’.
That is, his ability he was lauded for in his initial performances in his debut season of being able to read the game and construct a free-flowing affair.
One would hope that on a Sunday afternoon with teams that are more than capable of playing a ball in hand style of rugby (assuming my beloved Ponies pull their fingers out!) he may be able to stick his whistle elsewhere and let the game run.
This is not a call for a free-for-all at the breakdown, but rather a clear and established stance on what is acceptable and what is not.
This would also suggest that next week may see Craig Joubert and Chris Pollock in action, with Steve Walsh waiting in the wings (more due to experience that form) in case we have a Springboks v All Blacks game (Yes, I have noticed the irony but he is technically an Aussie now in spite of his accent!).
It would then be a battle for the two referees in control of the semis to fill the finals position.
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