Rugby: Giteau in spotlight for Walsh comments

Matt Giteau. Photo / Getty Images

Sanzar director Simon Jelowitz is considering whether Brumbies five-eighths Matt Giteau should face a code of conduct hearing after making some scathing comments about referee Steve Walsh.

The Brumbies had regular battles with Walsh last week and were miffed he was appointed to control this week's game with the Reds.

Giteau delivered the heaviest criticism when asked whether his side was upset they had a repeat date with Walsh in Canberra.

"I think everyone is," he said, "mate I don't know if we will turn up - what's the point?"

Those comments and others about Walsh's performance have attracted inspection from Sanzar as they prepared for last night's telephone hookup evaluation of their referees.

"We will be working through what is in the best interests of the game and the athlete [Walsh], we will be taking all those things into account," New Zealand's referee boss Lyndon Bray said.

"It would be naive if we did not consider all those things in weighing up our ideas."

Former Wallaby prop Patricio Noriega evaluated footage of Walsh's contentious scrum decisions while the referee ran through his performance with his boss Andrew Cole.

Bray said the evaluation had been extended to representatives from the Brumbies, Reds, the Australian Rugby Union and Sanzar.

* All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu will have a scan tomorrow on his damaged left shoulder with increasing concerns about his ability to last the season.

Sivivatu reinjured his shoulder in the 25-all draw last week against the Cheetahs and is considered an unlikely starter for the Chiefs' next match against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

Five-eighths Stephen Donald is also struggling after damaging a calf muscle last week.