SANZAAR has announced that Glen Jackson has been appointed to referee the 2016 Super Rugby Final between the Hurricanes and Lions at Westpac Stadium, Wellington on Saturday 6 August.
The 40-year-old New Zealander is a former fly-half who played for Bay of Plenty, Chiefs, Saracens (England) and New Zealand Maori. He helped Bay of Plenty win the Ranfurly Shield in 2004 and played for the Chiefs in the 2004 Super Rugby semi-final loss to the Brumbies.
In 2010, after a stint playing rugby in England with Saracens, he took up refereeing and in 2011 refereed his first Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Western Force. In 2015 he refereed his first international match when appointed to the 6 Nations Test between Scotland and Wales, and became the first New Zealander to play and referee 100 first class matches when he refereed the Argentina versus South Africa match later that year. He refereed at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and to date has refereed 52 Super Rugby matches. This will be his debut SuperRugby final appointment.
Commenting on the appointment, SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos said, “Glen has consistently delivered through the season and this is a just reward for his efforts. This season has seen a number of new referees introduced into the competition under the guidance and support of our more experienced referee group in which Glen has played a big role. I am confident that he will manage the final with the composure and authority required as we look forward to these two great teams doing battle.”
The assistant referees will be Angus Gardner and Ben O’Keeffe. The TMO is Ben Skeen.
The appointment again raises the issue of neutrality and once again, we point out the SAANZAR has been using what they describe as ‘the best referee for each game’ since 2009 and it’s “a merit-based system that was approved by the National Unions and Head Coaches.”
It would be inconsistent of me not to keep before you the issue of Sanzaar’s appointment of referees who are not of neutral nationality. Sanzaar’s current position would be understandable if it wishes to get to a point where it can systematically appoint neutral refs but this is not possible at this stage in the development of referees from Australia, Japan or Argentina. It might also be understandable that Sanzaar does not wish to introduce Northern Hemisphere referees. But if the current “policy” is to continue regardless of the availability of good refs from all five Sanzaar countries then, once again, this flies in the face of the fundamental requirement that justice must not only be done but must manifestly appear to be done. I believe that Sanzaar risks provoking considerable cynicism amongt spectators with this pokicy
You have read the last paragraph? I understand the point and put it to SANZAAR. Response from them was clear!
We don’t entirely disagree with you Anthony, as this debate puts unnecessary focus on the match officials at the expense of what promises to be a great Final.
But it’s an approach those involved have agreed to and support. Be interesting to see if it changes in the future.
Thanks for the comment
Keith, Editor, RR.net