Ireland v AustraliaDISCIPLINE at the breakdown will be crucial for Ireland if they hope to upset the odds and topple Australia at Eden Park tomorrow morning.
New Zealander Bryce Lawrence is the man in charge and as he demonstrated in his officiating style in presiding over the game between England and Argentina he is particularly strict in penalising transgressions at ruck time.
The 40-year-old former headmaster consistently penalised players who went off their feet at the breakdown and England in particular fell foul of his interpretation of the laws.
One other aspect arising from that match is the fact he gave several final warnings, a scenario he is unlikely to repeat this weekend. There’s little doubt the feedback after the English match will include a reminder that he must follow up a verbal warning by brandishing cards if the teams fail to heed his direction.
Lawrence was the touch-judge who stood a matter of feet away from the incident in which Springbok Schalk Burger gouged Ireland’s Luke Fitzgerald during the 2009 Lions tour. Lawrence recommended a yellow card and was criticised for not being stronger, especially as Burger subsequently received an eight-week ban. He refereed this year’s Super 15 final won by the Queensland Reds.
