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Mark Lawrence Retires

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PaarlBok

PaarlBok

Rod McCall (65)
Sad news and probably my favourate ref decided to quit internationals.

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Sport24
Lawrence hangs up his whistle
Cape Town - Leading South African referee Mark Lawrence has announced his retirement from international match officiating to concentrate on a new role as a coach and mentor to emerging refereeing talent.

Lawrence announced his decision on Monday, following discussions with Andre Watson, GM Referees for the South African Rugby Union.

“I have had a highly enjoyable and stimulating career as a Test referee but the time has come to move on and assist in developing the next breed of South African Test referees,” said Lawrence.

“I still love the job and will continue to referee at Vodacom Super Rugby level and in South African domestic rugby, but I have to begin to think of life after full-time match officiating. SARU has offered me an opportunity to pass on my experience in a coaching and mentoring role and I leapt at the chance.”

Lawrence officiated in what will now be his 27th and final test when he took charge of the match between USA and Canada in Denver, Colorado in August 2011. His career highlights include refereeing the Absa Currie Cup final in 2007 and Vodacom Super 14 final in 2008. He currently stands on 108 Absa Currie Cup and 66 Vodacom Super Rugby games.

“I have enjoyed an incredibly privileged career at international level and have had the honour of taking charge of some special matches,” he said. “Refereeing is a hugely satisfying role in rugby and it has given me the opportunity to make friends in the game from around the world.

“I’ll miss the role but the time is right to give something back and look to the next generation of South African referees.”

Andre Watson, General Manager of the South African Rugby Referees Association, said: “Mark has been one of the world’s top referees for a number of years and has always been popular among players, coaches and fellow officials. He has always had a sympathetic refereeing style and that’s something we want to tap into.

“He will act as a ‘player-coach’ to referees, assisting emerging referees with direction on game management and best operating practice as well as on the mental side of handling the pressure under which referees are placed. We foresee him playing a major role in the coaching of referees going forward and I for one am looking forward to him adding his flavour and style.

“He has had a great career as an international referee and deserved every game and every plaudit he has earned and I’m sure he will be equally successful in his new role.”

Lawrence will continue at first-class level but will immediately begin his coaching role within SARU’s successful, existing referee development programmes.
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Good news to have him local.
 
B

BRIX

Guest
Real bummer, Lawrence was one of my favorite refs over the last few years

Good luck in the future Mark :salute
 
T

Toby Lerone

Guest
Genuinely disappointed when I saw on rugby365 the headline "Ref Lawrence retires from tests" - got my hopes up that Bryce had conceded that he isnt international standard.

Mark is a great referee though and it's great that he will be around to influence the next generation of referee's in South Africa, and will of course be around for at least another season of Super Rugby and the Currie Cup. It's rather reflects the type of person he is, deciding to quit internationals at this point: he could perhaps have hung on for another year, but he realises he wont be around for RWC2015 so it's best to give some other, younger referees the chance.
 
Lindommer

Lindommer

Simon Poidevin (60)
Staff member
What a waste! I had the pleasure of watching Mark close up at a Pirates match in 2003 (he did a club match the week before a TN test) and I've never seen a ref move so well to put himself in an excellent position to see the play at hand. At the time I thought it was an object lesson for young referees; if he can teach up-and-coming refs to get their positioning right he'll have done rugby a huge favour.

POB: why isn't Mark Lawrence at RWC2011? Not good enough. Pack your bags.
 
J

Jay

Guest
A shame, one of the best refs around. And had the best frosted highlights, too.
 
W

wikman

Guest
He is much better than Steve Walsh who is somehow at the RWC. Just look at some of his shocking calls for Frances first try against Japan.
 
whatty

whatty

Bob Loudon (25)
Still wondering whether he was not picked as SA had already reached it max quota. Why not just the best refs irrespective of where and how many from any specific nation.
 
Blue

Blue

Andrew Slack (58)
More great work from the IRB and Paddy.

Anyone who has read his blogs will see how knowledgeable this bloke is.

But don't worry boys. Paddy reckons Bryce Lawrence and Alain Roland are better so all is good.
 
S

StonerJack

Guest
How he was not given a gig at this world cup is just astounding. One of the absolute best refs in the game. But it is comforting to know that he will be helping to make future refs better. Lets hope they come from the same mould as ML did.
 
EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7

EVERYFWDTHINKTHEYREA6OR7

Syd Malcolm (24)
Yes i didn't mind this bloke.

As for most ref's if they didn't have whistles you wouldn't talk to them. But that being said, i love referee's view on the way is played. Just differs from that of a player and is quite interesting. Would like to see one in commentary ala Bray. They are stat's guru's.
 
Jets

Jets

Paul McLean (56)
Staff member
Glad I will still see his golden boots during the Super Rugby season.
 
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