[phog]

For me the few I don't or didn't like to see reffing are Simon McDowell, David Wilkinson, either of the two Changleng brothers, Peter Allan and James Jones, there's also a guy that refs the AIL, a short guy, drives a mini cooper, can't recall his name but he destroys a good game of rugby.

I like or liked, Nigel Owens, Alain Rolland, Chris White, Joel Jutge, Nigel Whitehouse, Alan Lewis, Tony Spreadbury (always got a good luagh from him), Joel Dume, Jonathan Kaplan, Alexander Rose and Craig Joubert.

To be fair to them it's a tough game to ref in real time while the pundits can use so much technology to highlight their mistakes with such ease and sometimes pleasure.

[danthefan]

I don't really mind any currently active ref other than Fitzgibbon, who is seriously bad. Clancy is decent but if you compare him to Owens for example he doesn't really have a feel for the game.

Bryce Lawrence was the worst of the worst but he'll never ref another international game again.

All the top international refs are decent. Mistakes are obviously made and they always will be.

[Dietsquirt]

Nigel Owens

Wayne Barnes is a tool

[Cardinal Richelieu]

Just a slight side question, is there a limit on how many international refs can come from one country?

[Podge_irl]

Originally Posted by Cardinal Richelieu

Just a slight side question, is there a limit on how many international refs can come from one country?

I don't think so, bar the practical implications.

[Klunk_NZ]

Best:
Joubert
Kaplan
Owens


Worst:
Lawrence
Barnes

[efb]

Best: Owens
Worst: Barnes

[Teferi]

Poite has only been mentioned once or twice here. He isn't a favourite ref or mine and blows extremely hot and cold.

Around the 6 Nations of last year I think he really picked up his game and found some form but it dropped quickly after that and he got back to into his old habits.

[Downtime]

Originally Posted by Tox56

Whoever was ref for the Connacht-Leinster game at the Sportsground last year was excellent, great communication with the players.

John Lacey from Munster

[backawaygo onahead]

Originally Posted by danthefan

Clancy is decent but if you compare him to Owens for example he doesn't really have a feel for the game.

Is it safe to assume Dan that you aren't an Ulsterman?

I've yet to hear one say a good word about Mr Clancy .............. then again, suppose it depends on your definition of a "good" word, I've a few appropriate ones that I won't mention here!!

Did you know his 1st reffing appointment was an under 15s match? It finished 0-0, wonder who was the centre of attention that day?

[CatFromHue]

The refs for the 4 Nations are: Alain Rolland (3 games), Steve Walsh (2 games), Nigel Owens (2 games), Romain Poite (1 game), Wayne Barnes (1 game - not involving NZ), George Clancy (1 game), Jaco Peyper (1 game) and Craig Joubert (1 game).

So it appears that Rolland, Walsh, and Owens could be considered the best refs around at the moment. They'd be my favourites, if you can have a favourite ref that is.

[danthefan]

Originally Posted by backawaygo onahead

Is it safe to assume Dan that you aren't an Ulsterman?

I've yet to hear one say a good word about Mr Clancy .............. then again, suppose it depends on your definition of a "good" word, I've a few appropriate ones that I won't mention here!!

Did you know his 1st reffing appointment was an under 15s match? It finished 0-0, wonder who was the centre of attention that day?

I'm not, no (though I currently live in Ulster!). Neither is Clancy. Not sure of the relevance.

[backawaygo onahead]

Originally Posted by danthefan

I'm not, no (though I currently live in Ulster!). Neither is Clancy. Not sure of the relevance.

For enlightenment check out the results of Ulster games when Clancy has been ref. Its quite remarkable, a cynic might suggest that there are a couple of chips on those narrow shoulders, why, I could suggest but will not for the sake of harmony.

Suffice to say my heart sinks when I see him appointed.

I am baffled why he has progressed to the international scene. Suggests a paucity of talent however with the exception of a few gross incompetents, George included, I try not to be too hard on refs as they have by a long way the toughest job on the pitch and rarely draw the plaudits when performing well but are hammered when things go awry.

[endabob1]

Joubert - got the RWC final for a good reason, had a great world cup and is really consistent
Owens - was excellent a couple of years ago has gone off the boil a bit but still top 3
Rolland - like Joubert, gets big games for a good reason

Very surprised to see Kaplan mentioned here as he is slap bang at the bottom of my list, couldn't ref a scrum properly if his life depended on it.

[phog]

May as well post this here!

Ml Corcoran tweeted

Michael Corcoran ‏@MichaelC_RTE
IRB confirm Joel Jutge to succeed Paddy O'Brien as High Performance Match Official Manager #rterugby 0'Brien to take 7's role @irfurugby

I always rated Jutge highly, hope he has a successful term in his new role.