Best referees for best matches in Super 14
AAP | Monday, 10 November 2008
Best referees for best matches in Super 14 - New Zealand's source for sport, rugby, cricket & league news on Stuff.co.nz

The concept of neutral referees will disappear from the Super 14 rugby championship next season.

New Zealand referees will be appointed to control matches involving New Zealand teams and foreign rivals in the competition. from next season.

Governing body SANZAR has taken the ground-breaking step to empower its top whistle-blowers to handle more of the best matches in the tournament to ensure the highest standard of refereeing.

Australian, New Zealand and South African officials will be appointed from a panel founded on merit before nationality.

In the past referees could only control matches involving their countrymen only when both sides were from the same country.

"This is a significant step and was taken simply because we wanted to have the best refereeing the best," said Andy Marinos, managing director of SANZAR.

"It will create a more competitive environment for our referees and will also lead to greater accountability.

"The move to 'neutral' officials was one of the major strides that professional rugby took but as the game has matured it has become obvious that we need the best officials on the field."