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Last week SANZAAR made a right royal mess of the Super Rugby referees for the sudden-death quarterfinals.
Not one of the four games had a neutral whistler.
The Crusaders and Sharks in Christchurch had a Kiwi in Mike Fraser, the Hurricanes and Chiefs in Wellington had another Kiwi Glen Jackson, the Waratahs and Highlanders at Allianz had Australian Angus Gardner, while the Lions and Jaguares at Ellis Park had South African Jaco Peyper.
It appears SANZAAR never gave a thought to neutrality, but with some common sense, even a little, surely the governing body could see there was genuine grounds for fans to kick up a stink.
The self-made problem was easily fixed.
Angus Gardner could have controlled the Crusaders-Sharks clash, Jaco Peyper the Hurricanes-Chiefs game, Mike Fraser was the junior ref of the four so South African Marius van der Westhuizen could have replaced Fraser for the Waratahs and Highlanders game, with Glen Jackson to ref the Lions-Jaguares clash.
This is a very simple fix, and no-one could possibly accuse any ref of being biased towards the home side.
It’s a mute point as every referee could, and should, be impartial.
But when neutrality is operative, the miffed fans have no possible grounds to complain.
With the two semis this weekend, the two best referees Angus Gardner and Glen Jackson must be on duty.
Gardner must control the Crusaders-Hurricanes semi in Christchurch, and Jackson the Lions-Waratahs clash at Ellis Park.
If it’s a Crusaders-Lions final, that should go to Gardner.
If it’s a Crusaders-Waratahs final, neither Gardner nor Jackson should be in control, which is unfair to both as the best in the business.
(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Jaco Peyper is the next best bet and should continue the neutral theme, the South African will be the go.
One referee who should never appear with a whistle, or even on touch, is, in my opinion, the worst referee on the panel – Kiwi Ben O’Keeffe.
One day SANZAAR might get something right, but don’t hold your breath waiting for it.
EDITOR’S NOTE: SANZAAR has stated that the appointment of referees for the Super Rugby finals are merit-based and their selection has included direct input from the Super Rugby head coaches.