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Kiwi referee Bryce Lawrence caned the Queensland Reds with a 17-7 penalty count last night that allowed the Crusaders to win their crucial clash in Christchurch 15-11 by the boot.
Crusader sharp-shooter Tom Taylor landed five from six – the Reds Mike Harris two from four. The Reds led 11-9 with eight minutes left on the clock, only to be sunk by the last two penalties before the final hooter sounded.
The rugby wasn’t ugly, nor was it entertaining. Lawrence saw to that, it was his command performance.
On March 15, All Black legend and Roar expert Murray Mexted wrote:
“Often (referees) personality influences their actions.
“Bryce Lawrence is an example, Bryce doesn’t really care about rugby. Bryce cares for himself”.
In other words a show pony. Amen to that, right on the button.
Apart from the horrendous penalty count, Lawrence and his touchies Vinny Munro and Kane McBride missed so many forward passes and knock-ons it became a one-sided farce.
The Reds have every right to feel racked off. Just about every time the defending champions looked dangerous, Lawrence was centre stage, blowing the pea out of his whistle.
But not even Lawrence could dent the two standouts last night – Liam Gill, and Richie McCaw – both openside flankers. Tyro Gill, and the world’s best McCaw.
Gill has Wallaby written all over him, although he must switch to blindside to wear gold with incumbent David Pocock a future Wallaby skipper and barring injury will be around for a long time.
Gill is also a leader, having been appointed captain of the Australian under 20 side for the Junior World Cup in South Africa next month. Last night he was in everything – pilfering, fetching, tackling, and ever ready to attack. Non stop.
All Black World Cup winning skipper McCaw is a born leader. He came off the bench in the 44th minute for only the second time after foot surgery since the RWC final, and immediately set about reducing the Reds control of the breakdown.
It was the game’s highlight watching today’s best mixing it with a superstar of tomorrow.
And with Wallaby coach Robbie Deans watching from the stand in his home town, he will be relieved world-class half-back Will Genia, backrower Scott Higginbotham, and winger Digby Ioane are back to their best – locks James Horwill and Rob Simmons aren’t far behind –
Ben Lucas is a genuine 10 – with winger Dom Shipperley, utility back Mike Harris, and full-back Luke Morahan not out of place on the Wallaby bench.
Throw in Crusader backs Taylor, Dan Carter, Robert Fruean, Israel Dagg, and the flying Zac Guilford and if the man in the middle had let the game flow this could have been a cracker.
Worth repeating Murray Mexted’s comment – Bryce Lawrence doesn’t care about rugby, only himself.
Easily fixed. Just select referees who do care, and content to be the 31st man on the park. They are around.