Referee replaced after pressure from Brumbies
April 29, 2010, Thursday
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STEVE Walsh's contentious handling of the ACT Brumbies' last Super 14 match against New South Wales has resulted in his replacement as referee for this week's derby clash between the Brumbies and Queensland Reds.
The Brumbies questioned Walsh's decision to disallow a try to fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper in the 12-19 loss to the Waratahs, and asked for clarification on other decisions including his interpretation of the scrums.
The Brumbies' Australian international Matt Giteau faces a fine or suspension from SANZAR, the governing body for the Super 14 competition, for criticizing the Sydney-based New Zealand referee's performance.
Giteau reportedly questioned the worth of the Brumbies' even turning out to play the Reds if Walsh was officiating.
SANZAR confirmed the change in a statement yesterday, indicating that New Zealander Chris Pollock would handle the Brumbies vs Reds match in Canberra on Saturday. Walsh was not reassigned to any of the other six matches on the weekend.
SANZAR referees chief Lyndon Bray later told the Australian Associated Press that Walsh was replaced, not demoted, due to his "untenable" position.
Bray said Walsh would control the Waratahs vs Chiefs match in Hamilton the following round in a straight switch with Pollock.
"What we've done is not demote Steve from the game, we've taken Steve off it," Bray told AAP. "Putting the performance aside ... the hype around the comments really made it untenable to leave Steve in that environment - it's certainly not in the interest of the Brumbies and the Reds."
Fourth-place Queensland and sixth-place Brumbies are battling to remain in finals contention with three weeks remaining in the regular season. "We want to ensure this game, which is critical to both teams, is about them and not about the referee," Bray said.
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