Match Officials for Semi Finals

[Ecky]

As predicted:

Wales v France
Ref A. Rolland
AR J. Kaplan W. Barnes
TMO G. De Santis

Australia v New Zealand
Ref C. Joubert
AR N. Owens R. Poite
TMO S. Veldsman

Thus leaving Kaplan, Barnes or Owens to referee the final, it would seem.

[animal wa]

IMO Joubert is the best ref in the world, by a long shot..

he should be allowed to ref the final too.

[GIGS20]

No chance of blaming the ref if we lose this week!

[GIGS20]

Didn't Joubert ref this weekend? Does that mean he's a possibility for the final

[Ecky]

Didn't Joubert ref this weekend? Does that mean he's a possibility for the final

Yes. He did Ireland v Wales

I very much doubt he is a possibility for the final, sad to say. I think the appointments for quarters & semis were made at the same time, some time last week, and the appointment for the final was also made, but depending upon the results.

Rolland, Joubert, Kaplan, Barnes and Owens are the ones who were in the frame I think.

Kaplan was not available last weekend, I am told, as he is of Jewish faith and their big celebration was last weekend. That may have dudded his chances.

I think the final appointment will be either Barnes or Owens.

DISCLAIMER: This is purely my speculation only, based on previous years' RWC appointment philosophy. I will be most glad to see Joubert getting the gig as he has been one the the stand-out refs of the tournament. For what it's worth, I think Steve Walsh has had a good tournament as well, as has Barnesy, except his last game (I'm told - didn't see it meself). Kaplan is Kaplan. Previously held in very high regard. Still held quite highly to be in the top ten. (And certainly a crapload better than Bryce Lawrence)

[theforceguy]

(And certainly a crapload better than Bryce Lawrence)[/I]

There is a facebook page "Petition To Stop Bryce Lawrence Ever Reffing A Rugby Game Again" there is 15000 people already that has liked the page since yesterday lol

[GIGS20]

Must rush to Facebook!

[jono]

There is a facebook page "Petition To Stop Bryce Lawrence Ever Reffing A Rugby Game Again" there is 15000 people already that has liked the page since yesterday lol

35,612 as of 5am

[jono]

Must rush to Facebook!

here you go GIGS:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Petiti...86992594653732

[jono]

the interesting thing about this page is that there is the assumption that bryce is working for the wallabies.

i've watched the replay twice now (there isnt a lot to do up here after work seeing as i have to have a 0 BAC in the mornings) and he seemed his usual self. but he was still pretty even.

i guess that the page was made by a South African who is a wee bit bitter because of how the game turned out, and hasnt ever looked into his statistics over any length of time.

[benny]

ill also add Steve Walsh to that list of sh1t refs.

[jono]

Walsh has been pretty good over the last couple of years.
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[Hansie]

Charlie Fear

[Ecky]

Hansie!

Be nice.

[hertryk]

Where's the link please?