Bryce Lawrence retires from refereeing

freyners · 16-10-2012 11:07AM #1

http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/news/rugby-pitch-perfect-bar-one-blowout/1583964/

saw this posted on Rugbydump.

found this part of the article interesting

"I had four really good games at the World Cup and then I had that. I had outside pressure from pretty senior people from rugby countries behind the scenes that really created my mindset of lacking confidence to deliver what I normally do.

"There was some pretty nasty political stuff going on about that appointment. I refereed Australia versus Ireland and Ireland had won but behind the scenes guys like (Australian chief executive) John O'Neill were kicking up a massive stink. I knew a bit about that and it was enough to affect me, and it probably made me freeze on the biggest stage."

No doubt refs come under a lot of pressure in the modern game and every decision they make is scrutinised like never before (e.g Rollaind WC semi-final). Still I think its sad that someone feels forced to retire over abuse received from reffing a match. At the end of the day they are only human and dont have the benefit of replays (although the expanded TMO should help somewhat if its introduced) and have to make decisions in real time.

Lawrence may not be my favourite referee but I feel sorry for him here. Hopefully this is a once off and we dont see a trend of this

Teferi · 16-10-2012 11:16AM

That's absolutely disgusting. One of the main things that differentiates rugby from all other sports is respect of the ref and this must come not only from the players on the pitch but officials and other people behind-the-scenes.

Tim Robbins · 17-10-2012 10:33AM

Teferi wrote: »

That's absolutely disgusting. One of the main things that differentiates rugby from all other sports is respect of the ref and this must come not only from the players on the pitch but officials and other people behind-the-scenes.

90% of games I have reffed. The winners think you were good, the losers hate your guts.

At the highest level that must be incredible difficult to take. That said, I think their should be promotion / demotion in the game. Some of the magners leagues ref, I wonder how they keep getting games.

Interesting to note as well is how some of the refs for the elite games (Wayne Barnes) for example, can bounce back.

He's pretty good any time I see him.

How bad was Bryce for SA V Oz? Did he really cock up? I didn't see the game.

He says this about 1st Lions test...

"My performance got huge feedback from players and rugby people. I felt proud that my peers recognised it as a top international performance. My bosses at the IRB and NZRU all agreed I'd had a good day at the office, which was very satisfying."

I thought he missed a few things happening in the scrum that day.

Swiwi · 17-10-2012 08:04PM

As a Kiwi, I thought Bryce had a shocker in RWC 1/4 final. But the abuse he got from SA fans, especially that Facebook page, was ridiculous, and more suited to soccer. Even NZ didn't go to those lengths with Wayne Barnes.

I hope we never see the same again: all refs are human, all make mistakes, and it's a damn hard job.

I'm sure he'll make a fine Ref supervisor in NZ.

freyners · 17-10-2012 08:09PM

Richie McCaw also had a few pops at him In his new book just before Lawerence retired apparently.

Who'd be a ref?

dub_skav · 17-10-2012 08:14PM

Funny Richie giving out about a ref not making the big calls

Swiwi · 17-10-2012 08:29PM

freyners wrote: »

Richie McCaw also had a few pops at him In his new book just before Lawerence retired apparently.

Who'd be a ref?

I think his point about Wayne & Bryce freezing under the spotlight is valid. He didn't issue death threats to either of them.

errlloyd · 18-10-2012 12:21AM

Interesting, would two refs (Ie umpires) be a solution to this problem. Like dividing the blame. Has this been discussed to death in a different thread?

marienbad · 18-10-2012 12:38AM

Tim Robbins wrote: »

90% of games I have reffed. The winners think you were good, the losers hate your guts.

At the highest level that must be incredible difficult to take. That said, I think their should be promotion / demotion in the game. Some of the magners leagues ref, I wonder how they keep getting games.

Interesting to note as well is how some of the refs for the elite games (Wayne Barnes) for example, can bounce back.

He's pretty good any time I see him.

How bad was Bryce for SA V Oz? Did he really cock up? I didn't see the game.

He says this about 1st Lions test...

I thought he missed a few things happening in the scrum that day.

I thought he had a terrible game in the 1st lions test and missed a a lot more than a few things in the scrum that day. Cost us the series.

Tim Robbins · 18-10-2012 09:06AM

errlloyd wrote: »

Interesting, would two refs (Ie umpires) be a solution to this problem. Like dividing the blame. Has this been discussed to death in a different thread?

Two refs wouldn't work as there is subjectivity to some calls.

If it could be objectified the best thing would to be to use a computer.

freyners · 18-10-2012 10:44AM

Swiwi wrote: »

I think his point about Wayne & Bryce freezing under the spotlight is valid. He didn't issue death threats to either of them.

I wasnt trying to equate what richie said in his book v the absolute filth sprayed by other "fans" in different parts, sorry if it came across like that.

Thought it was worth pointing out that its not just the WC game that he has got criticism for and that he was getting it from other areas also.

Swiwi · 18-10-2012 06:03PM

freyners wrote: »

I wasnt trying to equate what richie said in his book v the absolute filth sprayed by other "fans" in different parts, sorry if it came across like that.

Thought it was worth pointing out that its not just the WC game that he has got criticism for and that he was getting it from other areas also.

Not a bother, I did misunderstand you. For what it's worth, NZ seems to struggle to produce decent refs, maybe Glen Jackson is the most promising at present - of course he is an ex-player of high level rugby.

My current fav is Jaco Peyper (SA), and I like Nigel Owens, but everyone has their favourites.

danthefan · 18-10-2012 06:07PM

I have to say I thought he was a really really poor ref and I was a bit mystified that he became a test ref but the way he's been treated has been a disgrace really, it's really troubling to see so called fans making threats and the likes.

Swiwi · 18-10-2012 06:11PM

danthefan wrote: »

I have to say I thought he was a really really poor ref and I was a bit mystified that he became a test ref but the way he's been treated has been a disgrace really, it's really troubling to see so called fans making threats and the likes.

I think most people agree Bryce Lawrence pretty average ref, but appalling treatment from SA fans in particular, many of whom were embarrassed by their countrymen.

Ireland has some of the best fans, Kiwis are ALWAYS impressed at the silence during goalkicks, it's almost surreal.

Bryce Lawrence retires from refereeing

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