Former referee Freek Burger was appointed as South African Rugby Union (SARU) only citing officer in this year’s Super14.
SARU legal manager Christo Ferreira confirmed to Sport24 that New Zealand and Australia have also bought into this concept. They have appointed Steve Hinds and Scott Nowland respectively.
Both have been citing officers in the Tri-Nations, while Burger was one of South Africa’s most successful Test referees and later the country’s refereeing boss.
“We had four citing officers last year. The one did not cite anyone in nine matches, while another cited 11 times. We have decided to appoint only one person in this capacity for the sake of consistency,” explained Ferreira.
Every citing officer will have a room equipped with the necessary technology at his disposal. They will be able to get the necessary camera angles and sound bytes there.
It will therefore not be necessary for citing officers to be physically present at games.
Burger will nevertheless have assistants at games that he does not attend himself to get the required footage from the broadcaster.
The citing period for the Super14 has also been extended from 12 to 24 hours, and players will face disciplinary hearings at the venue of their next game. That is to assist with touring logistics, Ferreira said.
The officials will consult with one another on Saturdays and Sundays about incidents, but have no say about the matches and incidents that occur outside their country.
Burger has 33 games on his plate this year, but will follow every other Super14 match.
“It will be nice to speak to the other guys. You have to stay on the same wavelength,” Burger said of his new job.
Locally this process will be welcomed. It is often said that South African players are often at the wrong end of the disciplinary processes.
The controversial citing of Springbok lock Bakkies Botha after last year’s second Test against the British and Irish Lions is a case in point.
Botha cleaned prop Adam Jones from a ruck, but was cited for reckless play.
Australia’s Matt Giteau then left Newlands without punishment in spite of a dangerous tackle on Fourie du Preez.
Chiefs loose forward Sione Lauaki also escaped punishment after a high tackle on Bryan Habana. The citing commissioner reported the incident too late.
“I believe this is a step in the right direction. We are professional and therefore have to be objective, fair and not allow ourselves to be influenced,” said Burger of the new system.
Hiho Puma, I have been planting tree’ serious. Only 4 but hard work, dug the holes to big, and had to lug them one at a time to the bottom of the property and put them in.
Looks funny to see Irish saying “Im a Sharksboy” 🙂
Hugger what trees did you plant?
Yesterday was 2 loquat and 2 mguluggulu or something They get those large berries that look like cherrie, but are ridged with large white pip inside. Can also be pruned into a hedge, have about 30 more to go and 8 more loquat. Today i put in 3 Leaperd Trees, but that was in the garden.
Down in the bush am trying to plant stuff for the monkeys, have done over 30 citrus trees and quite a few indigeous and endemic bush things.
The hub planted alot of fever trees a few years ago and recently Acacia (sp) the acacia Robusta and acacia Kosiensis(sp) from kozi bay, they grow about 15 meters and fast. Natal Mahogany and Sausage trees (3) and others.
33 – Hello Treehugs, You farm must be looking great with all them trees?
Are those trees with the Cheerie on them. I have quite a few in my garden in Joburg. Called Eugena (spelling) trees. Attract a lot of bees though.
Why not plant banana trees? The monkeys love em I think and paw-paw trees. Used to have them in my garden in a place I stayed many years back in Durban North. Used to attract all the monkeys.
33 – Treehugs, Hope you have some help planting those trees. Must be very hard work for for you.
Hi Puma, we tried banana a few years ago but the frost nails them in winter, Those Cherry looking ones grow in front of Northlands boys high in Durban North as a hedge, they seem slow growing. Bees are a good thing, havent noticed their are hardly any of them around anymore so you lucky.
Monkeys would destroy young pawpaw trees in a flash and it doesnt provide enough fruit, but i get crates and crates of the stuff every week, it is their most stable fruit, i mean i realy get a lot of it about 60% of the year, the rest of the time we have to buy fruit and that costs about a R120 a day, then they get 4 kgs of mielies soaked in water overnight so its soft and they dont break their teeth and other odds and ends.
Puma – no help any more, became a security issue. Was difficult to adjust to, but now i love it, no hassles ever and the hub is a big strong lad, 3 years younger than you and very fris. Only do this type of work when the weather is cool and drizzleing.
Puma think you should join facebook, you can set the security for it and dont have to put in a photo, i am battleing on there but perseveering and you can leave messages no one can see and found the chat box by mistake.
38 – Treehugs, Never really want to do the facebook thing. Not for me 😉
Remember to look after your back when planting trees and carrying that load will put huge strain on the lower back. I hurt my lower back doing just that lifting heavy things and it slipped my disc in my lower back. Maybe both of you should carry a heavy load will make it easier.
Forgot you get frost up there.
Saw a few monkeys in my garden yesterday, actually they were all on my roof first 😀 They eat the little oranges on a tree I have. Not sure what they are actaully very sour stuff. They seem to enjoy it though.
Puma _ Qumquats ?
40 – Treehugs, have not idea what they are called. Ranger told me the name once just forgot really. Said Monkeys enjoy eating them, well I know that now. That is what they come to my garden for.
not = no
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