Official Super Rugby 2014 Thread

Berry escapes ref axe

Rugby governing body Sanzar have dumped three referees from the Vodacom Super Rugby competition after poor performances, but controversial referee Stuart Berry is safe…for now.

Sanzar refereeing boss Lyndon Bray confirmed the names of Argentinean Francesco Pastrana, James Leckie and Lourens van der Merwe were axed with immediate effect for poor performances but Berry, who was lambasted by Reds coach Richard Graham after his performance in the Lions win on Saturday night, is safe for now.

Berry seems to have escaped the axe, even though he gave a controversial try a week before which helped the Lions beat the Blues. While he isn’t down for the next two weeks, he will be considered for any games in rounds 9 and 10 when the new schedule will be released.

Bray told newspapers last week that errant referees would be purged at the end of the month to ensure the standards of the competition are held high.

"One of our core strategic objectives is to grow the depth of the team that is able to referee 'any game, any time,'" Bray said in a Sanzar statement. "In line with this, we have reduced the size of the team heading into the next phase of the competition and in doing so, have recognised who has performed to expectation and who has not.

"The aim is to give this smaller pool of referees more game time so when it comes to the finals series, there's a great deal of pressure around who will earn those highly sought after appointments and ... that the competition is getting a consistent high standard of refereeing."

Pastrana had the Toyota Cheetahs seething after their 40-30 loss to the Blues on Saturday as he awarded a contentious yellow card against Boom Prinsloo and then gave a try despite the TMO telling him that Blues player George Moala had used a double movement.

Pastrana’s name has now been removed for Friday’s game between the Crusaders and Hurricanes, with Nick Briant taking over, while Lourens van der Merwe was due to take charge of the Blues v Highlanders game in Auckland. That game has been handed to Steve Walsh.

Still it was strange that Berry hasn’t been axed, and it can only be as he hasn’t been consistently bad, despite Saturday’s game where he issued two yellow cards against the Reds as the Lions surged back to win. With a penalty count of 19-4 against the Reds, it was clear why Reds coach Richard Graham was upset.

"We are extremely frustrated," Graham said after the game.

"I thought we showed an enormous amount of character. I am clearly frustrated with the result and with the number of penalties given against us - and the yellow cards which come on the back of them."

"I've never seen that in a game before in my life. It would be fair to say that I felt aggrieved at the end of the match when we were down to six forwards and a back on the scrum and we're going forward and (the Lions front row) stand up and we're not rewarded."

Berry is part of a quartet, which includes Angus Gardner, Andrew Lees and Matt O'Brien, who are not scheduled for primary refereeing appointments in the coming fortnight (as per the communication issued on March 11), but will be considered for Rounds 9-10, which will be released in due course.

ROUND 7 (revised appointments)

Crusaders v Hurricanes - Nick Briant
Rebels v Brumbies - Jaco Peyper
Blues v Highlanders - Steve Walsh
Reds v Stormers - Chris Pollock
Bulls v Chiefs - Craig Joubert
Sharks v Waratahs - Mike Fraser

ROUND 8 (no change)

Highlanders v Rebels - Chris Pollock
Brumbies v Blues - Rohan Hoffmann
Hurricanes v Bulls - Steve Walsh
Reds v Force - Garratt Williamson
Cheetahs v Chiefs - Craig Joubert
Lions v Crusaders - Marius van der Westhuizen
Stormers v Waratahs - Glen Jackson

Stuart Berry, Angus Gardner, Andrew Lees and Matt O'Brien are not scheduled for primary refereeing appointments in the coming fortnight (as per the communication issued on March 11), but will be considered for Rounds 9-10, which will be released in due course.
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OrbitalDawn said:
Boshoff a shoe-in for the Boks...?
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mmmmm.....

That is a poser.

Other posers from the weekend:
Crusaders : Hurricanes
I have been screaming for a while now that the crusaders are trading on name. On the other hand, those 'canes are shït. I'm thinking home game advantage. In fact, last weekend all home games were winners. This one requires some pondering.

Brumbies : Rebels
Like last year, the rebels will struggle to get out of the starting blocks, especially against domestic competition that takes the form of the brumbies.


Blues : Highlanders
The highlanders have been the surprise package of 2014. I expect them to make this a close encounter and I can't decide this one just yet. Any comments will be appreciated. FTR, they have been responsible for some of my luck on Bru so far.

Reds : Stormers
Dammit, the stormers are due something. I really really really want to pick them but I know the reds are bleeding from an unsatisfying SA tour and may therefore be hungry for SA blood. And there can be no doubt that the stormers are wounded. I want to pick the stormers but I suspect the reds will be too much. But I really want the stormers as my pick. Someone please give me a good reason to pick them - hell, even just tell me to pick them in a commanding voice...

BULLS : Chiefs
I'd rather lose superbru than go against my team. The chiefs have certainly enjoyed some hidings at the hands of the BULLS and will no doubt always arrive hungry for revenge. I expect a close one but hope and pray the BULLS pull through.

Sharks : Waratahs
The sharks have a blood nose from the past weekend but they're not really in a space where that can bring them down. Especially at home to these sheep fücking snout-nosed morons. Well, I hope so at least.
 
GreGorGy said:
Blues : Highlanders
...Any comments will be appreciated...

Reds : Stormers
...Someone please give me a good reason to pick them - hell, even just tell me to pick them in a commanding voice...
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Where's my psychic UFO thread when I need it :twisted:
 
GreGorGy said:
Reds : Stormers
But I really want the stormers as my pick. Someone please give me a good reason to pick them - hell, even just tell me to pick them in a commanding voice....
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Stormers' defence and De Villiers (ability to intercept) against Cooper :whistle:
 
GreGorGy said:
Crusaders : Hurricanes

Blues : Highlanders

Reds : Stormers
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Crusaders : Hurricanes
Saders at home, still not an easy game.

Blues : Highlanders
I expect the blues to play some good rugby but the highlanders I think will take it in the final 15 minutes.

Reds : Stormers
Reds have been the better team, if they can keep their discipline from going off the wall as against the lions they should beat the Stormers as the Stormers have not shown great attacking ability.
 
It's time for the Saders to shine. It's going to happen imo.

Blues vs Highlanders? Highlanders need this win. They'll trump the Blues here.

Reds have had some really bad luck from poor refereeing. Won't happen again. Reds to win.

Sharks to bounce back strongly as well.

That's my rationale for this week's picks...
 
FoXtroT said:
I know, very strange. Mvovo isn't exactly the greatest kicker; something I would have thought White would appreciate in a fullback. Would have expected Ndungane or Pietersan at 15 instead.
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John Smith:
"Hey Jake, how do we solve this problem of kicking away possession at full back?"

Jake White:
"Play someone who can't kick..."
 
GreGorGy said:
John Smith:
"Hey Jake, how do we solve this problem of kicking away possession at full back?"

Jake White:
"Play someone who can't kick..."
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Even though you're a Bulls fan, that was brilliant :D
 
GreGorGy said:
I am sure there is a meme with burn going around. It applies :D
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Yeah I laughed. I also thought the Sharks would win but washing out your mouth before the game saying that you have them figured out etc etc is extremely dumb.
 
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