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Cape Town - Retired South African referee Jonathan Kaplan has praised the overall performance of Craig Joubert in this past weekend's Currie Cup final between Western Province and the Golden Lions at Newlands.
As it happened: WP v Golden Lions
WP won 19-16 to claim a record 33rd Currie Cup win.
Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis had five shots at goal and scored from them all in a thrilling final before a near-capacity crowd.
There was never a doubt that his four penalties were going to sail between the posts and he also converted a first-half try from centre Jaco Taute.
But it was a vastly different day for the two Lions goal-kickers, first choice and flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff and right-wing Ruan Combrinck.
Boshoff fluffed four of seven attempts at goal and Combrinck missed one of two long-range shots.
A post-hooter penalty offered the Lions a chance to draw level and take the final into extra time, but Boshoff watched his angled kick float left and well wide.
Joubert heavily punished the home side at scrum time, and while admitting he made some mistakes on the day, Kaplan feels Joubert had a good game.
Writing on his website, www.ratetheref.co.za, Kaplan said:
"Craig Joubert was the referee on the day. A deserved appointment given his form and status. He used his experience magnificently on the day. More than that though, his preparation was outstanding, and notwithstanding a couple of errors during the game, his application and consistency were top drawer.
"Some have mused about his advantage, but I felt it was well thought out and gave the stronger and weaker set piece an opportunity to express themselves. The delivery of sanction was excellent as was the selling of it not only to the players but the public too!
"Occasionally I felt sanction was tough, but I did also notice that it was consistent, which is the hallmark of someone in the zone. He held his nerve right until the end of the fixture, and few will have gripes with his all round game.
"Craig may well go on to referee around 100 Test matches, but it’s these type of games which will mean the world to him. They are few and far between, and I’m sure he is cherishing the memories of Saturday, 25 October 2014 already."
As it happened: WP v Golden Lions
WP won 19-16 to claim a record 33rd Currie Cup win.
Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis had five shots at goal and scored from them all in a thrilling final before a near-capacity crowd.
There was never a doubt that his four penalties were going to sail between the posts and he also converted a first-half try from centre Jaco Taute.
But it was a vastly different day for the two Lions goal-kickers, first choice and flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff and right-wing Ruan Combrinck.
Boshoff fluffed four of seven attempts at goal and Combrinck missed one of two long-range shots.
A post-hooter penalty offered the Lions a chance to draw level and take the final into extra time, but Boshoff watched his angled kick float left and well wide.
Joubert heavily punished the home side at scrum time, and while admitting he made some mistakes on the day, Kaplan feels Joubert had a good game.
Writing on his website, www.ratetheref.co.za, Kaplan said:
"Craig Joubert was the referee on the day. A deserved appointment given his form and status. He used his experience magnificently on the day. More than that though, his preparation was outstanding, and notwithstanding a couple of errors during the game, his application and consistency were top drawer.
"Some have mused about his advantage, but I felt it was well thought out and gave the stronger and weaker set piece an opportunity to express themselves. The delivery of sanction was excellent as was the selling of it not only to the players but the public too!
"Occasionally I felt sanction was tough, but I did also notice that it was consistent, which is the hallmark of someone in the zone. He held his nerve right until the end of the fixture, and few will have gripes with his all round game.
"Craig may well go on to referee around 100 Test matches, but it’s these type of games which will mean the world to him. They are few and far between, and I’m sure he is cherishing the memories of Saturday, 25 October 2014 already."
