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Former Super Rugby ref to take charge of Pro14 semi-final
By Online Editors
South African Stuart Berry has the whistle at the RDS for the all-Ireland clash between Leinster and Munster.
The match is at the RDS Arena in Dublin between Leinster and Munster - a match which could easily have been the final of Europe's Champions Cup.
This is a most important appointment for Berry who was, surprisingly, dropped from, Super Rugby's panel.
His career has been resurrected this year when he and Quinton Immelman became Pro14 referees - as the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings joined the European the competition.
This will be the first time a South African has refereed such a match in Northern Hemisphere club competition.
Stuart Berry, who is 35 years of age, was born in Durban and started refereeing when he was still at Hillcrest High School in Durban.
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He started refereeing Currie Cup matches in 2007, Super Rugby in 2012 and Test rugby in 2013, when the first of his 11 Tests was one between Japan and the All Blacks.
The WRU’s Ben Whitehouse and the SRU’s Mike Adamson will run the touchlines in the match.
John Lacey will take charge of the Guinness PRO14 other semi-final at Scotstoun between Glasgow and Scarlets. He will be assisted by Andrew Brace and Frank Murphy with the IRFU’s Olly Hodges in the TMO seat.
PRO14 Semifinals
Glasgow Warriors vs Scarlets at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Frank Murphy (Ireland)
TMO: Ollie Hodges (Ireland)
Leinster vs Munster at RDS Arena
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Ben Whitehouse, Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
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Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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