Rugby: Ex-Lion slams Kiwi whistler Lawrence

Former Lions hooker Brian Moore says Kiwi ref Bryce Lawrence is not fit to officiate in test matches. Photo / Getty Images

Former England rugby hooker Brian Moore claims New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence is not fit to officiate after his role in the British and Irish Lions' series defeat in South Africa.

Moore, who played on two Lions tours, launched a stinging attack on Lawrence who controlled the Springboks' 26-21 victory in Durban and was assistant referee for their series-clinching 28-25 win in Pretoria on Sunday (NZT).

Moore slammed Lawrence for not recommending a red card for Boks flanker Schalk Burger in the first minute after he reported his eye gouging of Luke Fitzgerald.

Lawrence told French referee Christophe Berdos the offence warranted a yellow card "at least" and Berdos issued Burger a yellow card. Burger returned to the field 10 minutes later, before eventually being hit with an eight-match suspension.

"The man that has cost the Lions dear, in not one, but both test games, is Bryce Lawrence, of New Zealand," Moore wrote in London's Telegraph newspaper.

"We are not here talking about whether a pass was forward. His serious errors are incapable of rationalisation, save by the misapplication of the tenet that a referee is the sole arbiter of fact and law. That stipulation is intended to allow referees to be wrong, not stupid.

"If Lawrence, as touch judge, is incapable of linking the vileness of an act occurring two feet away and the proper sanction of a red card, he is not fit to officiate."

New Zealand's leading referee also raised Moore's ire for his first test performance in which Springboks prop Tendai `Beast' Mtawarira dominated his veteran opposite Phil Vickery at scrum time.

"Does Lawrence, the referee then, know why lifting is illegal; is he familiar with hyperextension of the spine?

"How did 'the Beast' curiously dominate, then capitulate? The previous week he was allowed to cheat with impunity; two days ago he was not; simple really."

- NZPA