News

Walsh returns to Super 14

February 08 2010

Former Test referee Steve Walsh is set to return to top level officiating when the Super 14 kicks off on Friday.

Walsh was sent into refereeing exile in April last year when the New Zealand Rugby Union said he had retired from refereeing following an inquiry into a personal employment issue.

In a later interview, Walsh revealed alcohol-related "unacceptable behaviour" during a SANZAR conference in December 2007 had led to his axing.

SANZAR referees manager Lyndon Bray named Walsh as the man in the middle for Friday's Western Force-Brumbies game in Perth.

Walsh, who has refereed 212 first class games, including 35 tests and has appeared in two World Cups, moved to Sydney and late last year was offered a two-year contract with the Australian Rugby Union.

In a statement, Bray said a strong start to the Super 14 was important for referees.

"We want our senior referees leading from the front in week one, particularly with the new SANZAR focus on four priority areas designed to free up the ball, give clarity to rulings at the tackle area and scrum time, and penalise players advancing from off-side positions during kicking phases," he said.

"I'm heartened by the results of applying these priority areas during pre-season games. The signs are good for the start of season."

Australia's Stuart Dickinson will whistle the first match of 2010 as the Blues take on the Hurricanes in Auckland, while South African Jonathan Kaplan will referee last year's Super 14 champions, the Bulls who face the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Fellow South Africans Craig Joubert, Jaco Peyper and New Zealanders Chris Pollock and Keith Brown will all have first round duties with the whistle.