Ref changes for Week 6
SANZAR has announced changes to the match officials for all seven Super Rugby matches to be played in Week Six.
The press release says: "Most changes have been necessitated by logistics, with some referees clocking in some impressive miles which have resulted in changed appointments." But Bryce Lawrence who was replaced at half-time of his match in Week 4 and then withdrew from his appointment in Week 5, remains on the injured list and is replaced by Garratt Williamson.
The only match with unchanged match officials is that between the Stormers and the Bulls at Newlands, a match sold out for weeks.
Perhaps the most noteworthy appointment is that of Mike Fraser to the match between the Chiefs and the Waratahs. It will be his first Super Rugby appointment as a referee. Wellingtonian Fraser, who is 31, started refereeing in 2001 and has refereed 36 first class matches.
Super Rugby Appointments for Week 6
* Denotes change
Friday 30 March
Highlanders vs Rebels
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Lourens van der Merwe* (South Africa)
Television match official: Kane McBride (New Zealand)
Saturday 31 March
Hurricanes vs Cheetahs
Referee: Ian Smith (Australia)
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen * (New Zealand)
Chiefs vs Waratahs
Referee: Mike Fraser * (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jonathon White (New Zealand), Glen Jackson * (New Zealand)
Television match official: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
Brumbies vs Sharks
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
Television match official: Steve Lesczcynski * (Australia)
Force vs Reds
Referee: Garratt Williamson * (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), Andrew Lees (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
Lions vs Crusaders
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper * (South Africa), Reuben Rossouw * (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Stormers vs Bulls at Newlands
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen * (South Africa)