Refs appointments Round 1.

[travelling_gerry]

Kaplan back in the Super 14 hotseat

The world’s most experienced referee currently Jonathan Kaplan will be back in the South African hot seat when he takes charge of the South African Super 14 opener between the Bulls and the Cheetahs on February the 12th.

Kaplan came under fire for some of his decisions when he was in charge of the Currie Cup final between the same two teams in October.

Steve Walsh returns to Super 14 rugby as an Australian refereeing appointment and will take charge of the Force v Brumbies game in round one.

Australian referee Matt Goddard and New Zealand’s Bryce Lawrence miss the first round of rugby and the Sharks will have a new referee in control of their match in Keith Brown who is a new referee from New Zealand. Brown joined New Zealand's national refereeing panel in 2008.

Craig Joubert from South Africa will be the only South African referee on international duty in the first round and he takes charge of the Reds v Waratahs game.

Stuart Dickinson will take charge of the Blues v Hurricanes and New Zealander Chris Pollock will referee the New Zealand derby between the Crusaders and the Highlanders.

Round one appointments.
Blues v Hurricanes – Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Force v Brumbies – Steve Walsh (Australia)
Cheetahs v Bulls – Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Crusaders v Highlanders – Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Reds v Waratahs – Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Lions v Stormers – Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Sharks v Chiefs – Keith Brown (New Zealand)

http://www.super14.com/news/viewarticle.asp?id=23815

[GIGS20]

That's good news, somebody buy the ref a bottle of scotch!

[Ecky]

Good to see Junior back after his, um, indiscretions, and now he's an Aussie!

[James]

I'm very happy we have Steve Walsh reffing the Force Brumbies game. Usually we end up with an Australian ref and to be honest they don't inspire me with much confidence.

[travelling_gerry]

Well technically he is an Australian Ref now.