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Cape Town - SANZAR Game Manager Lyndon Bray has acknowledged that refereeing standards in Super Rugby have not been up to standard.
This past weekend was characterised by Australian referee Rohan Hoffmann’s questionable performance during the Waratahs’ 33-18 win over the Sharks in Sydney.
Several calls appeared to go against the Sharks, and pundits were in agreement afterwards that Hoffmann had a “shocker”.
Former All Black coach John Mitchell pointed out in the SuperSport studio post-match that Hoffmann's management of the tackle, ruck and offside line was woeful, and that he talks too much, while former Wallaby wing David Campese described his performance as a “joke”.
The Television Match Official for the game in Sydney - George Ayoub - also copped criticism. He made two crucial calls, disallowing a try by the Sharks’ S’bura Sithole, while awarding a contentious try to Waratahs wing Taqele Naiyaravoro, despite no clear evidence that the ball was grounded.
Hoffmann was on Monday appointed as an assistant referee for the Force v Highlanders game in Perth this coming Saturday, while Ayoub got no game.
Bray commented: "While we acknowledge that the match officials cannot get it right all of the time, there are some basic standards that have simply not been upheld over this past weekend, resulting in some disappointing decisions and selection consequences.
"A thorough and robust system is in place whereby the development and performance of each match official is reviewed by SANZAR and its member unions on a daily basis and like any athlete participating in elite competition, our referees are accountable to performance levels for the competition.
"Appointments are made weekly based on performance reviews from the previous round but also includes an evaluation of the current form of each official over the term of the competition.
"We have completed our reviews from the weekend and have followed strong internal processes as we prepare our team to reach their physical, mental and technical peaks as we head into the critical last four rounds of the regular season and Super Rugby finals series.
"Public confidence in match officials is essential to the ongoing success of our product and we will continue striving to enhance the quality and accountability of refereeing across all SANZAR competitions."
Round 15 Super Rugby referee appointments:
Friday, May 22
Chiefs v Bulls, Rotorua - 09:35
Referee - Chris Pollock
AR1 - Glen Jackson
AR2 - Aki Aso
TMO - Glenn Newman
Reds v Sharks, Brisbane - 11:40
Referee - Angus Gardner
AR1 - Matt O'Brien
AR2 - Damien Mitchelmore
TMO - Peter Marshall
Saturday, May 23
Blues v Hurricanes, Auckland - 09:35
Referee - Nick Briant
AR1 - Ben O'Keeffe
AR2 - Aki Aso
TMO - Aaron Paterson
Waratahs v Crusaders, Sydney - 11:40
Referee - Marius van der Westhuizen
AR1 - James Leckie
AR2 - Michael Hogan
TMO - Peter Marshall
Force v Highlanders, Perth - 13:45
Referee - Andrew Lees
AR1 - Rohan Hoffmann
AR2 - Graham Cooper
TMO - Ian Smith
Cheetahs v Lions, Bloemfontein - 17:05
Referee - Jaco van Heerden
AR1 - Jaco Peyper
AR2 - Lourens van der Merwe
TMO - Marius Jonker
Stormers v Rebels, Cape Town - 19:10
Referee - Stuart Berry
AR1 - Quinton Immelman
AR2 - Rodney Boneparte
TMO - Deon van Blommestein
