Bryce fears for safety in SA
16 Nov 2011
Bryce Lawrence says he won’t officiate in South Africa next season if his personal safety is under threat.
Since Lawrence’s controversial performance in the Wallabies’ 11-9 quarter-final win over the Springboks at the World Cup, the Kiwi referee has been critcized for his handling of the breakdown by South African players, fans and media.
Retired Springbok captain John Smit said: ‘The one positive of retirement is that I won’t ever have to be reffed by him again’. Even Saru manager of referees Andre Watson slammed Lawrence’s performance, saying the New Zealander won’t officiate at a future World Cup as he would be severely admonished by the IRB.
A Facebook campaign titled ‘Petition To Stop Bryce Lawrence Ever Reffing A Rugby Game Again’ set up a platform for public abuse to be directed at Lawrence, while 94.7 Highveld Stereo radio station’s Darren ‘Whackhead’ Simpson has claimed to have prank called him in the middle of the night.
Speaking to Tony Veitch on Radiosport, Lawrence said he is aware of the threat of refereeing in South Africa during Super Rugby next year.
‘I’m not totally concerned. I know a lot of other people like the New Zealand Rugby Union and SANZAR do have some serious concerns,’ Lawrence said. ‘In all honesty, I’m not going to go over there if there’s any personal threat or I have concerns about my safety because in the end it’s a job. I know that, and also it’s just a sport so I’m not going to put myself at risk.’
‘I refereed the [Super Rugby] final last year,’ he continued. ‘I’ve refereed a lot of play-off games so that level is something I’m more than capable of refereeing. I’ll referee South African teams in Super Rugby, it may be in Australia or New Zealand that I referee them and I’m sure the criticism will resurface every time I do referee them.’
Lawrence admitted that he always thinks back to his performance in the Wallabies/Bok quarter-final fixture.
‘It hasn’t been the greatest four or six weeks of my life…in all honesty there isn’t a day goes by even now that I don’t think about what I could have done better and how it’s affecting me and what it means for me going forward. It’s still very fresh and probably pretty raw really,’ he said.
‘I was disappointed with some aspects in my own performance that day after refereeing four really pretty strong games in pool play. I’m not blaming anyone for the quarterfinal refereeing display apart from myself. I didn’t referee as well as I could.
‘I was pretty relaxed going into that game, and Australia/South Africa I have refereed numerous times in the last few years at Tri-Nations level so the game didn’t scare me or concern me. I just think I went away from what I’m best at. I’m best when I’m pretty decisive and reasonably technical and tactical – and I just went too much down the tactical side of things where I was really trying to minimise making technical errors.
‘I got criticised heavily and some of that I accept because I know I could have done better.’
Lawrence added that he has been punished by being left out of the Six Nations.
‘Look, there have been some pretty clear consequences from my quarterfinal display. I’m not going to be refereeing Six Nations next year, they can say that means I’m rested but in reality I accept that one of the consequences of my performance is that I’m not going to be doing Six Nations.
‘That’s disappointing from a personal level but also something that I probably support. Referees often get criticised and not held accountable – well I’m clearly being held accountable I’m not refereeing Six Nations.’
Meanwhile, Sanzar CEO Greg Peters told Eyewitness News they have not expressed any concerns regarding Lawrence’s safety in South Africa. Peters explained that he consulted their legal advisors and said the Lawrence safety saga has not been discussed within Sanzar.
395 Comments
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16 Nov 2011, 09:09 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-89:
Yes I did watch the game.
Another ref might have given a yellow, or even a red as in the case of Warburton if he thought the infringement was particulalry dangerous.
As it was, it was only deemed to be a penalty.
16 Nov 2011, 09:11 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-95: Dude, you guys must still be floating in the clouds !?
I would be ! I must say, hats off to the Lions fans (or at least those I interacted with) for winning quite gracefully. After all the grief us Sharks fans gave you, I expected a lot more rubbing in
And hats off to the Lions. In the end, there was no denying the true champion.
16 Nov 2011, 09:11 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-97:
And he (Barnsie) while he was here in NZ, was never treated with anything other than fairness and dignity.
He was also here in 09, did some NPC games and conducted seminars for Coaches.
16 Nov 2011, 09:12 am
@Brads(Brads)-101: Kak man. That’s all I have to say to you.
16 Nov 2011, 09:12 am
One of the biggest failings of the system is that there is no transparent, public evaluation of the refereeing performaces.
Everyone knows that Bryce had a shocker. Even Bryce.
But he had a shocker in the game before that too. Everyone knows it. Even Bryce.
BUT then he gets nominated (and wins) New Zealand ref of the year,
now THATS a shocker. Everyone now thinks that Bryce is being rewarded for firstly predudicing Australia and then in the next game, South Africa,
I can see how that would weigh favourably on the minds of the NZ panel of voters…
Makes sense.
16 Nov 2011, 09:13 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-74: We didnt get any points on offer….Bryce robbed us of countless penalties at the scrum and breakdown.
16 Nov 2011, 09:14 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-102: Thanks man. It still feels good. Feels like a new era.
Now I suspect SARU, in its infinite wisdom, will drop the Lions from the S15 for the Kings.
16 Nov 2011, 09:14 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-97:
The last person that should be saying anything is an Englishman. BH your team has gotten away with so much cheating its not funny. From playing 16 players on the field at once against Samoa to ball swapping and tampering,80% of the IRB are English. Embarrasing
16 Nov 2011, 09:14 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-104:
So you agree, Danie cost you the game then.
16 Nov 2011, 09:14 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-32: It’s not just a mistake or 2, it’s a systematic failing to even listen throughout the game. Definitely more to it than meets the eye…
16 Nov 2011, 09:14 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-100:
So can we say:
80% Bryce Lawrence fault.
20% Springboks fault.
That seems fair.
16 Nov 2011, 09:16 am
@Brads(Brads)-109: You need a crash course in Afrikaans, pronto.
16 Nov 2011, 09:16 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-108: fook me, McCaw blatantly cheats for 80 minutes a game 10 times a year for the past decade in front of referees who do nothing (good ole Barnesy excepted) and you want to lecture about cheating?
Away with you, you scallywag
16 Nov 2011, 09:17 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-111:
You fail to give credit to a superb Defensive performance by Australia.
16 Nov 2011, 09:18 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-106:
What was Morne there for?
Wasnt for running great lines, not even running the backline.
He was there for scoring the goals and kicking for territory.
You had the best kicker in the world, can drop kick from anywhere wiht in 40 metres easliy.
He wasnt used correctly or the Boks on the field choked. Take your pick.
BL had a shocker, we all saw it and he has said so.
But he wasnt the only problem that caused the loss.
16 Nov 2011, 09:18 am
Also, this headline is actually incorrect. Bryce is quoted in the article as saying “‘I’m not totally concerned”
If there’s and issue he’ll evaluate it at the time,
Stop making sensationalist headlines KEO
Are we “Die Son” now???
16 Nov 2011, 09:19 am
Anyway …………………………………SA or Australia.
Didn’t matter,
whoever won,
was going home next week anyway.
16 Nov 2011, 09:19 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-106:
Lets forget SA bombing several golden opportunities for tries, not attempting a drop goal despite being parked in the Aus 22. Lets also forget SA were ahead with almost nothing left on the clock and Rossouw blatently fouls and gifts the game to Aus.
Yes, lets forget all that and just blame the ref.
It is far easier to stomach.
16 Nov 2011, 09:19 am
Just noticed Tony Veitch is back on Radio Sport!
The guy who broke his partners neck. Threw her down the stairs and beat her up pretty badly.
And a 45-year old former All Black has been at Wellington District Court on assault & drugs charges.
NZ sport for you hey!
16 Nov 2011, 09:20 am
@Brads(Brads)-109:
You need a crash course on irony
16 Nov 2011, 09:20 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-113:
Give it a rest man, your teams a damn embarrasment.
16 Nov 2011, 09:21 am
@The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-114:
Great defense my backside.
Unless you count being allowed to infringe at will being great defense.
16 Nov 2011, 09:21 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-104:
The sad part of this is that ol Brads actually started off quite well on this site.
He actually seemed like a rare and endangered species… a bright Kiwi
Unfortunately its all gone pear shaped from there. Too much exposure to Pops, China and the Panther has scewered hi mind
16 Nov 2011, 09:21 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-119:
He has been back for 6 months or more full time.
I see you keep up with the news then
16 Nov 2011, 09:22 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-119:
Yep thats a kiwi for ya.
If it was a South African she would have been shot after the beating.
And he would have recieved support from the Bok managment
16 Nov 2011, 09:22 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-107: I don’t think so dude
One can’t help but believe that the Lions will improve immeasurably in next years Super 15. Although teams like the Sharks, WP and Bulls will have more time to build momentum with their full compliment of top tier players – there has also been some player movement from those unions which could prove disruptive. The Bulls will definitely be most heavily affected with Province next up and then the Sharks.
I think the Lions actually have a shot in this coming Super 15. If they play with the same passion and commitment, while building their consistency – geez dude, we may just see them at the business end of the tournament. At this point, I can see no reason why they cant claim top spot in the SA conference. Crazy considering their recent Super rugby tournaments, but there is no denying the momentum they are building.
Good luck !
16 Nov 2011, 09:22 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-105: Agree 100%. Everyone can see it. The New Zealanders must be really stupid if they think they are fooling the world with the praise of Bryce and his nomination…..we know you are rewarding him for his part in helping NZ win the World Cup.
16 Nov 2011, 09:22 am
@The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-114: Once again, 80% Bryce, 20% Aussie defence.
But kudos to them for that outstanding 20%
16 Nov 2011, 09:23 am
@Bod(bod)-123:
Nope, it has been exposure to Saffa’s blind view they are victims.
16 Nov 2011, 09:24 am
@stew(stew)-47: At least a random error from a robot means that there is no premeditated act, and that’s the reason this twit is scared. I hope he flies with Qantas, which means that he may not even arrive.
16 Nov 2011, 09:24 am
@Brads(Brads)-120: Oh, that was irony? You need to learn how to apply it properly.
16 Nov 2011, 09:24 am
@The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-117:
True,very true
16 Nov 2011, 09:27 am
@Brads(Brads)-129:
It doesnt matter who is to blame…. you just gotts stop that slide into oblivion son
16 Nov 2011, 09:27 am
@Brads(Brads)-124: @Hurricane(Hurricane)-125:
No substance to those claims, but I was also only kidding in the first place. It’s been a bad week all round though
You guys have to admit there is an issue with drinking & assault in NZ rugby.
In fact, there is a BIG binge-drinking problem in New Zealand in general.
I follow the news, just not Radio Sport, and can’t recall Veitch returning. Surprised is all.
16 Nov 2011, 09:27 am
@The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-117:
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-119: huh?
16 Nov 2011, 09:28 am
@bokgat1(bokgat1)-130:
Do you want him to die or be killed?
16 Nov 2011, 09:28 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-49: i dont know bud….I dont have 1
16 Nov 2011, 09:29 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-134:
Man its a bad problem, to much money and to young and the partying and the drink gets the better of them.
I say they are weak but i am sure i probably be just as weak.
16 Nov 2011, 09:31 am
@bokgat1(bokgat1)-130:
Even better, fly Air New Zealand.
Chatting to my Judas sister from Waikenai this morning she proudly announced that the mighty Air New Zealand is the first airline world wide to install pukka beds on their planes.
Now theres something for you. Pity these planes never get out of New Zealand
Bright boys these Kiwis
16 Nov 2011, 09:32 am
@Bod(bod)-139:
lol
16 Nov 2011, 09:32 am
@Staal(Staal)-135:
Tony Veitch was a radio sports commentator (I think. Again, I never bother with Radio Sport) who brutally beat his partner a few years ago. Was talk of attempted murder but I’m not sure what he got done with eventually.
There was a former All Black in Wellington District Court today, but he has name suppression. I have an idea who it may be though.
16 Nov 2011, 09:32 am
@Dusky(Dusky)-126: Yeah can’t have the countries biggest province out of the premier provincial tournament. Lions need to be strong for the countries sake….and that’s coming from a sharks supporter!
16 Nov 2011, 09:32 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-127:
Lets see,
A NZ ref controlled the final of a RWC.
The other potential candidates achieved at local and SANZAR level, but as we all know the RWC is the top rung on the totem pole of world rugby.
So lets see,
Did he carry out his job – Yes
Did he please everyone – No
Does any ref please everyone one – No
Does the final result still stand – Yes
Was he appointed to SANZAR panel for 2012 – Yes
Did he deserve being appointed the Semi Final – Yes
…I could go on.
So we have a gong for best NZ ref. How could you not give it to Bryce.
16 Nov 2011, 09:33 am
@grant10(grant10)-137: You finished your rant for the day ?
16 Nov 2011, 09:34 am
@Brads(Brads)-143: ‘A NZ ref controlled the final of a RWC.’
Freudian slip?
it may as well have been a NZ ref who controlled the final for all the objectivity the French were afforded.
16 Nov 2011, 09:34 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-127: Problem is NZ has a small population and as a result not many ref’s……they don’t exactly have a big pool of nominees to choose from…not their fault but it is a reality.
16 Nov 2011, 09:35 am
Don’t be scared Bryce, come here, I can’t wait to attend a match that you Ref so that I can call you the cheating **** that you are.
May you be cursed with the fleas of 1000 Camels.
******!
16 Nov 2011, 09:35 am
@hendrikp(hendrikp)-141: Just googled it…
fine specimen of a human being this guy…
16 Nov 2011, 09:37 am
@>^..^< katman(katman)-128:
Nope,
The game is played over 80 minutes, SA decided they were in front and would defend that lead rather than venture out of their comfort zone and score more points.
Cue Rossouw to lose the match.
So, 100% of the loss down to one man for not playing to the game plan.
16 Nov 2011, 09:37 am
@The Gloater – formerly cane(cane)-114: It was great defence, the aussies have always had good defensive structures but it’s a lot easier to defend when you have someone stopping (illegally nogal) all momentum as soon as there is danger or the attacking team starts to build up the phases.
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