View photosKEY POINTS:
Super 14 rules state that neutral match officials will control the playoffs but Crusaders coach Robbie Deans wants merit-based appointments and says Sanzar agrees with that proposal.
With South African sides hosting both Sunday's semifinals against New Zealand teams, the referee, two touch judges and television match official needed for each match would have to come from Australia.
Only one Australian, Stu Dickinson, has made the list of 12 referees picked for the World Cup and countryman Paul Marks is the only Australian chosen for touch judge duties.
Other Australian referees in this year's Super 14 - George Ayoub, Brett Bowden, Matt Goddard and James Leckie - have received regular criticism and censure. Leckie's blunder when he missed the Blues using the wrong ball for a quick lineout throw and subsequent try, was the latest blatant mishap.
Deans said Sanzar told the Super 14 coaches this year that the best referees would control the critical games.
"We were assured that would happen and we said our preference was that the best referees would referee more frequently and that especially at the death, the best would be in charge. Neutrality was not an issue for us. The bloke who will feel the atmosphere most will be the referee," Deans said, refering to the intimidating Loftus Versfeld arena, where the Crusaders will play.
"We would be perfectly happy with South African referees," Deans said.
Jonathan Kaplan, Marius Jonker, Mark Lawrence and Craig Joubert are all on the World Cup roster for refereeing or touch judge duties.
Senior Australian referee Dickinson and touch judge Leckie were criticised strongly by Blues coach David Nucifora for their lack of authority when the Blues were beaten by the Sharks at Albany. The officials missed mistakes before several Sharks tries and failed to deal with simmering indiscipline throughout.
