Wellington, Dec 3 NZPA - Three New Zealand referees have been named on the merit panel of officials for next year's Super 14 rugby competition.

Bryce Lawrence, Chris Pollock and Keith Brown were today named on the eight-man panel.
Another three New Zealanders -- Vinny Munro, Garratt Williamson, Jonathon White -- are included in a nine-strong reserve panel.

As well, former international referee Steve Walsh, who left New Zealand this year to relaunch his career in Sydney, is on the reserve panel.

"Steve Walsh is an experienced international referee and we welcome his experience into the camp," Sanzar referees' manager Lyndon Bray said.

The two panels have been selected for the first time under a new selection process.

Referee selectors -- Colin Hawke, of New Zealand, Andrew Cole, of Australia, and Tappe Henning, of South Africa -- will monitor performances as part of a promotion/relegation system.

"This performance-based system ensures we are open, transparent and accountable as match officials," Bray said.


Merit panel: Jonathan Kaplan, Craig Joubert, Mark Lawrence, Marius Jonker (South Africa); Bryce Lawrence, Chris Pollock, Keith Brown (New Zealand); Stuart Dickinson (Australia).

Reserve panel: Steve Walsh, Nathan Pearce, Paul Marks, Ian Smith (Australia); Jaco Peyper, Pro Legoete (South Africa); Vinny Munro, Garratt Williamson, Jonathon White (New Zealand).

http://www.voxy.co.nz/sport/three-nz...-panel/5/32209