Rugby: Kaplan on verge of AB test record

Jonathan Kaplan. Photo / Getty Images

Hard on the heels of a controversial finish to Friday's Hurricanes-Crusaders match, South African referee Jonathan Kaplan will whistle his way into the All Blacks rugby record books this winter.

Kaplan, who courted controversy with his over-time ruling of a try to the Crusaders to tie up the match 26-26 on Friday night, is currently tied with Welshman Derek Bevan, with the pair having controlled more All Blacks tests - 16 each - than any other official.

The South African's name was listed twice for All Blacks tests in 2010 when the referee appointments were announced yesterday by the International Rugby Board and Kaplan will break the record when he controls the test against Wales in Hamilton on June 16 and extend it with the Tri-Nations test against Australia in Christchurch on August 7.

Bevan controlled his 16 All Blacks tests from 1986 to 1999 and has overseen the most losses, with six.

Controversial English referee Wayne Barnes will officiate the first test of the year, against Ireland in New Plymouth on June 12.

Barnes came under scrutiny following his control of New Zealand's World Cup quarter-final loss to France in 2007, but there were few qualms with his performance when the All Blacks subsequently beat Scotland in Edinburgh a year later.

Blowing the whistle

Referees to control All Blacks tests in 2010:

* June 12: vs Ireland, New Plymouth, Wayne Barnes (England).
* June 19: v Wales, Dunedin, George Clancy (Ireland).
* June 26: vs Wales, Hamilton, Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa).
* July 10: vs South Africa, Auckland, Alan Lewis (Ireland).
* July 17: vs South Africa, Wellington, Alain Rolland (Ireland).
* July 31: vs Australia, Melbourne, Craig Joubert (South Africa). August 7: vs Australia, Christchurch, Kaplan.
* August 21: vs South Africa, Johannesburg, Nigel Owens (Wales).
* September 11: vs Australia, Sydney, Mark Lawrence (South Africa).

- NZPA