IRB shows red card to Walsh

Steve Walsh

Leading New Zealand referee Steve Walsh has been red-carded by the IRB after a verbal sideline stoush during the Lions tour.

It is his second suspension, following a short ban during the 2003 World Cup for a slanging match with English fitness conditioner Dave Reddin.

But before Walsh's latest stand-down begins, he has won the race to referee the NPC final at Eden Park on Saturday between Auckland and Otago. Kelvin Deaker and Bryce Lawrence will run the touchlines.

The second-division final will be controlled by Paul Honiss, while Lyndon Bray was unavailable because of an achilles tendon injury.

Walsh's latest offence occurred when he was a touch judge during Taranaki's match against the Lions in June.  He had a heated argument with visiting wing Shane Horgan about a ruling.

The Lions complained about Walsh's conduct and were also critical about other New Zealand touch judges' work on the hapless tour.

The sequel is that Walsh is the only one of the 23 referees on the A- or B-list international panel who has been bypassed as an official for the 22 tests to be played in November in Europe and Argentina.

"I have to cop it sweet. That's the way it is and I have to get on with my life," he said yesterday.

"For the rest of it, I think it best the NZRFU explain."

NZRFU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said last night the union had talked to Walsh about the incident and moved on.

"The decision is that of the IRB. That is their call.

"We assessed the situation and some appropriate action, which I can't go into because it involves private employment details, has been taken."

Tew said Walsh had remained eligible for any game in New Zealand since the Lions match. Some action had been taken but he could not specify what.

"We will continue to support him - we just don't want this to happen again." The NZRFU assessed the Lions' complaint about the incident and took their own action but the Lions management had obviously taken the matter to the IRB.

The decision to overlook Walsh was made by a committee convened by IRB referees manager and former top New Zealand official Paddy O'Brien.

Walsh's next test appointment is not until the February 12 international between Wales and Scotland in Cardiff.

There is no mention on the IRB website about his suspension, just a list of the November tests and the officials chosen to control those games. "The appointments were made by the IRB referee selection committee after a comprehensive review of referee performance," the website said.

"From that review the composition of the three IRB match officials panels was determined."

Walsh was suspended briefly from the last World Cup after his involvement in the "Great Substitution Scandal" when England wing Dan Luger played 34 seconds for his side as an extra man.

England were fined and conditioner Reddin banned from the touchline for two games after complaints that they ignored match officials and illegally replaced a player.

In the aftermath of that kerfuffle, the Herald understands Walsh abused Reddin and sprayed him with water as they went into the tunnel after the match.

Reddin was cleared of any wrongdoing in the slanging match but Walsh was suspended for "inappropriate behaviour", according to a Rugby World Cup statement.

Meanwhile, Auckland confirmed yesterday that former All Black Troy Flavell, who played the last of his 15 tests in 2001, has signed a two-year deal with the province.

The 28-year-old played for North Harbour and the Blues before signing for the Toyota Club in Japan last year.

Auckland also confirmed that wing Tony Koonwaiyou has re-signed with the province for next season.

However, he is likely to be picked up in the draft by the Crusaders for the inaugural Super 14 series.

It is also understood Auckland has signed Andrew Blowers who has signed with the NZRFU.

The former All Black went overseas in 2000 to play in England and, more recently, in Japan.