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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Should There Be Neutral Refs in Super 15 Rugby? 2 views
05 March 2015 by The Swede Eaters
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Following the Bulls vs Sharks game, should there be referees in Super Rugby?
Surely it is time to bring back neutral referees in Super Rugby. This was highlighted on Saturday when the Bulls benefitted from some rather generous refereeing decisions to beat the Sharks at Loftus. It is hard to know if it is simply a money saving venture, but surely it makes sense to avoid any sense of potential bias creeping in.
There were at least three poor decisions which weren't helped by local referee Jaco van Heerdan who was making his debut at this level, being swayed by the crowd pressure. You can't blame the referee in some regards as it is hard to know why he was given such a high profile game between two of South Africa's best teams. There is research to suggest that referees get the better rub of the green with referees decisions generally. This result could have major ramifications for the Sharks chances in 2015, with the Stormers opening up a lead at the top of the South African conference, ahead of the Cheetahs.
He also wasn't helped by some incompetence from the TMO who surprise, surprise was also a local referee, Johan Greef, pictured below.
The South Africans are passionate about rugby, remember the campaign to stop New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence to never referee another rugby game in his life after the Rugby World Cup Quarter Final against Australia? Hopefully Jaco van Heerdan does receive the same treatment after his debut, but rather gets further training and maybe some more minor Super Rugby games like the Lions vs Rebels or something. Sharks fans have gone to social media to vent their frustration.
It is hard to know why there are no longer neutral Super Rugby referees, but with good management, it would be possible to find enough money to fund it. This is a professional tournament. There is some thought that his lack of experience caused his poor performance, but there is also a need for neutral referees in such an important competition.
Should there be neutral rugby referees in Super 15 Rugby?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2015/03/bring-back-neutral-super-15-rugby.html
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