Finally!! Bryce Lawrence!!

[stormer2010]

Still want to know how did Bryce Lawrence deserve the top ref award in NZ, cause he helped take out SA or is there valid reasons
Enlighten me, please

I think he got it by default as being the only ref from NZ at that stage.

[stormer2010]

I'm almost as happy as when I heard that Stuart Dickinson had retired...almost!

Hmm, Dickinson was probably the worst. Lawrence I think is just plain incompetent but for some reason I don't hold it against him and dislike him less than Dickie and Walsh although I think Walsh certainly deserves some sort of prize for improvement.

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Hmm, Dickinson was probably the worst. Lawrence I think is just plain incompetent but for some reason I don't hold it against him and dislike him less than Dickie and Walsh although I think Walsh certainly deserves some sort of prize for improvement.

Going from piss-poor to below average is not something that deserves an honorable mention.

[Gena_ZA]

I'm almost as happy as when I heard that Stuart Dickinson had retired...almost!



Yes.

Even though the award was actually announced after the RWC it was for the New Zealand referee of the year during the New Zealand rugby season and the competitions threin which encompass Super Rugby, the June Tours (even though there were none in 2011 due to RWC, there normally would be), the ITM Cup and the Tri-Nations. The RWC is not part of the NZ Season.

As to whether or not it was even deserved is another story. I for one think he has been dire for a few years.

thanks for the clarification but still shocking

[TNT88]

Going from piss-poor to below average is not something that deserves an honorable mention.

More like going from average, to top 5 (or even top 3) in the world.

He has a high standard of reffing and still a good few years left in him.

[smartcooky]

I think Steve Walsh is one of the better international referees. I'd rate him ahead of Kaplan, Clancy, Owens and Poite, and well ahead of Jonker, Barnes, Pearson and Garces.

The only referees currently doing tests who I would rank ahead of Walsh would be Rolland and Joubert.

[Tony Manx]

I think Steve Walsh is one of the better international referees. I'd rate him ahead of Kaplan, Clancy, Owens and Poite, and well ahead of Jonker, Barnes, Pearson and Garces.

The only referees currently doing tests who I would rank ahead of Walsh would be Rolland and Joubert.

Rolland is crap and acts like a prick....................I loath to see any game when he is involved as he makes it about him!