Bryce hangs up whistle
16 Oct 2012
New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence has retired after officiating his 200th first-class match.
Lawrence, who faced mass criticism from the South African rugby fraternity after his poor performance during the Wallabies’ victory over the Springboks in the 2011 World Cup quarter-finals, became the fourth Kiwi official to reach the 200-match mark. He follows Paddy O’Brien (221 matches), Paul Honiss (220) and Steve Walsh (210).
Lawrence also refereed 25 Tests and 60 Super Rugby games.
He told the Bay of Plenty Times that he was forced into retirement because of the threats he received after the World Cup.
‘It got pretty bad,’ said Lawrence. \Not really threats on my family as such, there was a concern, but it was mainly aimed at me through social media. On Facebook they launched a ‘get rid of Bryce Lawrence’ site and it was pretty nasty.
‘That was absolutely the reason for my career change. I got told at the end of the World Cup that I would have a break from Test rugby for the Six Nations and I could totally accept that as there has to be a consequence for poor performance.
‘I was told I would be brought back in the middle of this year, as I was ranked in the top three or four referees in the world. But because of the political reaction from rugby unions like Australia and South Africa behind the scenes, they dropped me.
‘Sanzar used me but not in South Africa, so eventually they said it was getting tough having you in the draw, because we have to keep making changes to keep you in the system when you are not going to South Africa, so see you later. So I knew I was not able to referee at the level I needed to be re-contracted, really – all because of that one game.’
Lawrence also admitted that there was outside influence going into the Wallabies-Springbok quarter-final clash.
‘I went into the game knowing it was a massive match and I didn’t want to overly influence the outcome and that was in the back of my mind. The way that transpired was I didn’t make decisions and if I had my time again I would just go out there and do what I normally do, which is just referee and back myself.
‘I had four really good games at the World Cup and then I had that. I had outside pressure from pretty senior people from rugby countries behind the scenes that really created my mindset of lacking confidence to deliver what I normally do.
‘There was some pretty nasty political stuff going on about that appointment. I refereed Australia versus Ireland and Ireland had won but behind the scenes guys like [Australian CEO] John O’Neill were kicking up a massive stink. I knew a bit about that and it was enough to affect me, and it probably made me freeze on the biggest stage.’
Lawrence take on a new post as the NZRU High Performance referee reviewer.
Kiwi referees Vinny Munro and Keith Brown will also retire at the end of the New Zealand Cup.
576 Comments
Pages: « 1 … 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 [12] Show All
17 Oct 2012, 23:48 pm
@gunther-550: Oh YEAAH,it certainly hit that raw nerve.
In any case how many points did you ticked off on that list,which ,by the way, is the FBI’s standard starting point on serial killers?? 
17 Oct 2012, 23:52 pm
@gunther-548:
I have been called racist, cheat, thick and an iraqi just over me posting or asking questions and comparing Bryce and Barnes.
Its like you and katman at school walking around trying to bully people with name calling…..seriously you are the most immature person on this blog.
17 Oct 2012, 23:53 pm
@Hurricane-552:
ag build a bridge Hurri………..
17 Oct 2012, 23:54 pm
Where have the loner control freaks gone to now??? Come on Gunthie,my pink little buddy!Btw,do you still use your pops pink underwear collection???
17 Oct 2012, 23:54 pm
@wnbb-549:
Racist!
17 Oct 2012, 23:59 pm
@Hurricane-552: Very true Hurricane.They have been trying to break me down,nearly a year now,with these poodle stuff,but what they forgot or can’t perceive is the fact that i am unbreakable …just like the All Blacks.
17 Oct 2012, 23:59 pm
@wnbb-554:
I think it is story time for the kids….they will be back at play time.
17 Oct 2012, 23:59 pm
@Hurricane-552:
Look I can’t make it any clearer for you than Bray’s quote.
I appreciate that you are upset over wasting the lady two days of your life.
But them’s the breaks.
Spare the woe is me kak for somebody who gives a toss.
You said his family had been threatened.
Which Lawrence refutes.
You said the IRB told him not to go to South Africa which the head of Sanzar refs refutes.
Quit whilst you are behind buddy.
18 Oct 2012, 00:06 am
@gunther-558:
Yeah do you recall president Bill Clinton.
” I did not have *** with that women ”
From the horses mouth as you have pointed out.
Horse tell lies as well.
Anyway it is done and dusted. No POB, No Bryce and the reasons behind SA losing over the years cos of the travel factor is all gone.
18 Oct 2012, 00:08 am
@gunther-558: let it go now,loner control freak.you don’t,although you wish,have thee power to decide who is behind or ahead.I know you and your daddy love to be ahead,but no need to drag hurricane into your dark alley lifestyle.
18 Oct 2012, 00:11 am
@Hurricane-559:
That’s a pretty big lie then no? Bryce will surely be setting the record straight.
Oh wait he hasn’t.
Why didn’t he blow any other matches in Super Rugby in Australia or Nee Zealand?
Certainly bigger than the porkies you’ve been sprouting here over the last two days.
@wnbb-551:
So that’s a no then?
Have you tried Gumtree?@wnbb-556:
Do me a favour.
You have been banned as often as fuckadilly and with good reason.
Your are lower than a worms arsehole and everybody knows it.
18 Oct 2012, 00:20 am
@gunther-561:
Why do you call him Poodlefucker?
18 Oct 2012, 00:22 am
Who mentioned bannings ????Looks like the wee gunthie is a bit rattled !
18 Oct 2012, 00:29 am
I mentioned,once,that his daddy was into the cape’s alternative lifestyle…and that was his response…I think.As I said to hurricane,vb,repeat it ad nauseam,get a few mates on board and it becomes fact.Loner control freaks they are,but unfortunately for them it’s like water down a duck’s back.their problem is,that they are too dumb to get it.
18 Oct 2012, 00:35 am
Hurricane is correct.Gunther and Katters are like school bullies with their name calling.I suspect that Gunther probably tick all the boxes on the FBI’s profiling standard list.
18 Oct 2012, 00:35 am
Hurricane is correct.Gunther and Katters are like school bullies with their name calling.I suspect that Gunther probably tick all the boxes on the FBI’s profiling standard list for mentally insane control freaks.
18 Oct 2012, 00:37 am
@wnbb-564:
Pappa ‘n moffie?
18 Oct 2012, 00:39 am
@wnbb-565:
They did a study the other day and most business leaders and successful people share those traits
18 Oct 2012, 00:48 am
Profiling is an absolute fascinating study,VB.Most of the times these profilers are spot on.
18 Oct 2012, 00:56 am
so has Bryce received his burning tyre necklace yet?
18 Oct 2012, 01:02 am
@poppa69-570:
Nee nog nie, ons het gedink julle Keolings kan hom sommer almal herhaaldelik in die alie bykom todat dit brand soos ‘n necklace
Hy sal erger voel na die tyd anyway
18 Oct 2012, 01:04 am
@wnbb-569:
If you believe in yourself and see only opportunities, not problems and believe nothing can stand in your way, you can be either a succesful businessman or a serial killer, it just depends how far gone you are
18 Oct 2012, 02:54 am
Clearly John O Neill bullied Lawrence after the Oz vs Ireland match .As a consequence it could be argued that ONeill got what he wanted – an Australian win in the QF .The spotlight should be put onto ONeill whose behaviour needs to be investigated .What would the QF result have been without this bullying?It is quite improper and unacceptable behaviour .
18 Oct 2012, 04:23 am
@superba-573:
Yep O’Neil was one of them. But Bryce did say a few countries were having something to say. So there maybe more than meets the eye.
As i said, the ref should be not approached or cintacted by any rugby nation admin a week before the game. Ref should be left alone.
18 Oct 2012, 05:50 am
@Hurricane-486:
….I wonder if Wayne Barnes was awarded “Ref of the Year” at the end of 2007?
19 Oct 2012, 20:27 pm
@j59-575:
yes, yes he was
“Best Referee in the World”
Stephen Jones.
Pages: « 1 … 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 [12] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.