I'm sure some of you have read that SA referee Marius Jonker has retired from international duty.
http://sareferees.com/News/jonker-stops-international-refereeing/2829765/
It seems one of his major concerns was the travel and time away from his family. From the article his last four international tests were "Fiji vs Tonga, Tonga vs Samoa, Canada vs USA and Canada vs Italy." Although I am certain Dave Pearson reffed the Canada vs Italy game back in June (I was at the game). I think Jonker reffed USA vs Italy. Either way that is quite a lot of travelling for a ref from SA, and while some of the locations are exotic, I imagine it wears on you.
Should the IRB be doing more to develop regional refs, and perhaps keeping refs closer to home for the most part? And having them travel only once or twice a year to get a varied experience? I don't think I've ever seen a ref from the Pacific Nations, or North America take hold of a Test match.
Perhaps take some up and coming refs from NA, or the Pacific and throw them into the second division Euro leagues or ITM and Currie Cup competitions as ARs and if good enough take hold of a few games to develop them?
There should be no reason that a ref has to be shipped from SA to officiate a Canada vs USA match.
On a side note, I met him at a society meeting and he seemed like a honest and straight forward guy.
http://sareferees.com/News/jonker-stops-international-refereeing/2829765/
It seems one of his major concerns was the travel and time away from his family. From the article his last four international tests were "Fiji vs Tonga, Tonga vs Samoa, Canada vs USA and Canada vs Italy." Although I am certain Dave Pearson reffed the Canada vs Italy game back in June (I was at the game). I think Jonker reffed USA vs Italy. Either way that is quite a lot of travelling for a ref from SA, and while some of the locations are exotic, I imagine it wears on you.
Should the IRB be doing more to develop regional refs, and perhaps keeping refs closer to home for the most part? And having them travel only once or twice a year to get a varied experience? I don't think I've ever seen a ref from the Pacific Nations, or North America take hold of a Test match.
Perhaps take some up and coming refs from NA, or the Pacific and throw them into the second division Euro leagues or ITM and Currie Cup competitions as ARs and if good enough take hold of a few games to develop them?
There should be no reason that a ref has to be shipped from SA to officiate a Canada vs USA match.
On a side note, I met him at a society meeting and he seemed like a honest and straight forward guy.
fftopic:
