Cape Town - South Africa's Craig Joubert has been picked to referee in two Six Nations matches next year, while controversial New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence was overlooked.
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According to the International Rugby Board's website, Joubert will referee the games between Ireland and Italy in Dublin on February 25 and Wales against France in Cardiff on March 17.
Joubert refereed the recent Rugby World Cup final between the All Blacks and France in Auckland, which the New Zealanders won 8-7 to successfully break a 24-year World Cup drought.
Lawrence - who came under fire for his poor officiating during the World Cup quarter-final between South Africa and Australia - was overlooked for all Six Nations games.
However, the IRB insists that Lawrence is merely receiving a "breather" after he endured a busy year of international and domestic fixtures. He is expected to return for the June 2012 Tests.
Another South African, Jonathan Kaplan, will referee the upcoming Test match in December between Australia and Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
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According to the International Rugby Board's website, Joubert will referee the games between Ireland and Italy in Dublin on February 25 and Wales against France in Cardiff on March 17.
Joubert refereed the recent Rugby World Cup final between the All Blacks and France in Auckland, which the New Zealanders won 8-7 to successfully break a 24-year World Cup drought.
Lawrence - who came under fire for his poor officiating during the World Cup quarter-final between South Africa and Australia - was overlooked for all Six Nations games.
However, the IRB insists that Lawrence is merely receiving a "breather" after he endured a busy year of international and domestic fixtures. He is expected to return for the June 2012 Tests.
Another South African, Jonathan Kaplan, will referee the upcoming Test match in December between Australia and Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.