Retired top South African referee Andre Watson has lauded the Sanzar executive committee on its decision to scrap the requirement to appoint franchise-neutral referees for local derbies in the Vodacom Rugby Super 12 contest.
Making the announcement recently, Sanzar said the decision comes into effect this week when the competition kicks off in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. However, for the first four rounds of the tournament none of the South African games will be affected.
The policy will be in action for the first time when North Harbour referee Steve Walsh blows the whistle at the opening match in New Zealand between the Highlanders and Blues in Dunedin on February 25. Walsh lives in Auckland, home of the Blues.
Watson said the decision would help the competition get the best referees available, and not be hindered by the requirement for neutrality. ”In any event, the referees always stay neutral. The decision does not affect us negatively, all it does is force everybody to do their best and be appointed for top games.”
Sanzar chief executive Chris Moller said the policy change had been initiated by the coaches, supported by the referees, and was endorsed by the Sanzar executive committee at its recent meeting in Wellington.
”In the past, Sanzar has had a requirement that referees not only be country-neutral but also franchise-neutral. However, the coaches have supported the policy change which is positive for the competition as local derby games will be officiated by the best available referees,” Moller said.
Moller added that this had, in fact, always been the case in Australia where most of the refereeing panel are resident in either New South Wales or Queensland and regularly officiate in matches involving their teams. – Sapa