Lloyd Burnard
Cape Town - SANZAAR says it has no concerns over the current state of refereeing in Super Rugby, despite complaints seemingly pouring in from all quarters after every weekend.
This past weekend, the Stormers, through their Director of Rugby Gert Smal, voiced their disapproval referee Mike Fraser after their 15-9 loss to the Chiefs at Newlands, saying they would take the matter up with SANZAAR's Game Manager, Lyndon Bray.
However, New Zealand's Fraser has already been awarded this weekend's clash between the Sharks and Chiefs in Durban.
The Stormers and Sharks - through coach Robert du Preez and the Bulls through John Mitchell - all had something to say about the officiating this past weekend.
Sport24 got hold SANZAAR to ask them how they viewed the current quality of refereeing in the tournament - and the response was that there was nothing wrong at all.
"As far as SANZAAR is concerned there is no issue whatsoever with match officiating. We have no need to issue a statement on officiating," a SANZAAR official said via e-mail.
"We have a very professional team of referees that are selected from the best officials from the national unions.
"There is also a very professional and robust system in place for the selection and management of match officials.
"That system is discussed at length with teams and coaches and reviewed every year.
"The coaches and teams have opted for merit-based appointments as part of this process - that is the best referee for the job regardless of nationality."
SANZAAR also invited franchise coaches to keep providing feedback to the tournament's governing body.
"As for individual matches the coaches have the ability to provide feedback to Game Manager Lyndon Bray each week," the SANZAAR official said.
"He also reviews all matches. This includes the Stormers match you referred to."
