Perth ref steps up to make Test debut
Perth’s Julian Pritchard experienced that Steven Bradbury feeling after a bizarre chain of circumstances enabled him to become WA’s first rugby Test referee last Saturday.
Just as Bradbury famously claimed a speed skating gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics by being last man standing, so Pritchard found himself with the whistle just minutes before kick-off of the 2011 World Cup qualifier between Manu Samoa and Papua New Guinea at Port Moresby.
He was supposed to have been eased into his first international gig as the junior touch judge but found himself promoted to assistant referee when experienced New Zealander Chris Pollock withdrew.
Pollock’s compatriot Keith Brown was elevated to referee but he rolled his ankle while warming up and Pritchard found himself in charge.
Samoa won 79-15 to secure a spot alongside South Africa, Wales and Fiji in Pool D of the 2011 tournament in New Zealand.
Pollock will swap his International Rugby Board jersey for more familiar kit when he controls the Nedlands-Wanneroo Kwik WA first-grade match at Kingsway on Saturday.
Frustrated Wallabies winger Peter Hynes fears his claims for a Tri-Nations recall may be short-circuited by a quirky club draw that’s leaving him short of match practice.
Hynes, the 23rd man for the 22-16 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland, is squarely back in the picture for a starting berth after Australia’s woes under the high ball on Saturday.
Expert at defusing bombs, the 2008 Wallabies rookie of the year looms as a potential replacement for Drew Mitchell or Lachie Turner but has played less than a half of Test rugby and one other club game in the last three months.
After overcoming knee and facial injuries, Hynes’ hopes of winning back his Test wing position have hit a snag with his Queensland club side GPS having two byes in three weeks.
The 27-year-old attempted to solve the problem two weeks ago by asking for a one-off loan to Souths but the move was scuppered as GPS were concerned it gave their rivals a leg-up into the finals at their expense.
Test coach Robbie Deans will include Hynes and rookie half-back Will Genia among several players released for club duty this weekend but the winger is worried he will be left high and dry for a second time.
The Wallabies received some good news on Monday with centre Berrick Barnes (hip) cleared to play the Springboks. Back-rower Richard Brown (ankle) will be assessed when the squad reassembles in Sydney on Wednesday, while Rocky Elsom has been ruled out.
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.as...ntentID=156698
