Refs - S14, Round 7

SANZAR has announced the match officials for Round 7 of the Super 14.

After all the protestations about merit appointments it is strange to see that Stuart Dickinson, Matt Goddard, Marius Jonker and Mark Lawrence who are all on the IRB's merit panel are not appointed to matches while several referees who are not on the merit panel are appointed to matches - Vinny Munro, Keith Brown and Ian Smith - have been appointed to matches.

SANZAR itself drew up panels:

Super 14 Merit panel: Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Matt Goddard (Australia), Marius Jonker (South Africa), Craig Joubert (South Africa), Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Mark Lawrence (South Africa), James Leckie (Australia), Steve Walsh (New Zealand).

Shadow Panel: Paul Marks (Australia), Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Ian Smith (Australia).

Reserve Bench: Phillip Bosch (South Africa), Keith Brown (New Zealand), Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Nathan Pearce (Australia).

Leave out inactive Steve Walsh and there are four of the Super 14 Merit Panel not refereeing this round, nor are two from the Shadow Panel while two from the Reserve Bench, presumably the third panel, are refereeing.

Apparently Super 14 has factored in rest breaks for referees.

Super 14, Round 7

Blues vs Waratahs in  Auckland
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Highlanders vs Bulls in  Palmerston North
Referee: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Jonathan White (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Crusaders vs Stormers in  Christchurch
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Josh Noonan (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
Television match official: James McPhail (New Zealand)

Reds vs Chiefs in  Brisbane
Referee: Ian Smith (Australia)
Touch judges: Nathan Pearce (Australia), Simon Moore (Australia)
Television match official: Geoff Acton (Australia)

Sharks vs Brumbies in  Durban
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Lions vs Hurricanes in  Johannesburg
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Touch judges: Phillip Bosch (South Africa), Willie Roos (South Africa)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)