News

Lawrence an omen for Sharks?

May 21 2008

The Sharks received an unpleasant setback to their preparations for their Super 14 semi-final against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday with the naming of Bryce Lawrence to referee their match.

The Sharks were most displeased with the performance of New Zealand's Lawrence when he handled their match against the Brumbies in Round Ten in Canberra in April.

In that match the Sharks led 13-0 and 18-7 (at half-time) before going down 21-27 as they fell foul of Lawrence's whistle.

Lawrence yellow-carded Ryan Kankowski as well as Francois Steyn, somewhat unfairly, in the second half and there was great dissatisfaction in the Sharks' camp that the Brumbies had been allowed to get away with infractions they were blown for - especially at the breakdown.

Australia's Stuart Dickinson has been appointed to take charge of the other play-off between the Crusaders and the Hurricanes in Christchurch.

Dickinson heads an all-Australian team of officials for the first semi-final between the Crusaders and Hurricanes in Christchurch and Lawrence has an all-New Zealand team for the second semi-final between the Waratahs and Sharks in Sydney.

The full list of appointments is as follows:

Crusaders vs Hurricanes

Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)

Touch Judges: Matt Goddard, Paul Marks (Australia)

TMO: Geoff Acton (Australia)

Waratahs v Sharks

Venue: Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)

Touch Judges: Lyndon Bray, Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)

TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)