New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) referees manager Keith Lawrence sees nothing sinister in Kiwi officials missing out on Super 12 semifinal appointments.

Three South Africans will officiate in the Brumbies versus Reds match at Canberra on Saturday, while three Australian referees will control the second semifinal between the Sharks and the Cats in Durban.

Just as South Africa and Australia are assured of one team each in the final, so is New Zealand guaranteed to provide the officials for that last showdown. Only once before has a New Zealand referee controlled the final, Southland's Paddy O'Brien blowing the whistle in the 1998 final between the Crusaders and the Blues at Eden Park.

"I think it has been a very successful Super 12 from a New Zealand refereeing viewpoint," Lawrence said. "We believe we've earned the final on merit, even though it was inevitable because of the way the teams stacked up. We've been delighted over all with our referees. All referees were under some pressure in the first two or three weeks as were the players."

A return to the old tackled ball ruling after the opening rounds coincided with players and officials performing with more confidence. "Before that the players were dropping the ball too frequently and the referees probably didn't have their whistles in tune with the game."

Lawrence said the initial Super 12 appointments were made by the chief selectors in each Sanzar country - Bob Francis (New Zealand), Ian Scotney (Australia) and Steve Strydom (South Africa). Their recommendations went to the national refereeing managers in each country and the final seal of approval was made by the three chief executive officers.

The referees in all 66 pool matches were appraised by at least one and sometimes two trained assessors against a set of criteria and each team management was invited to make a written report. "The (referee) selectors had definite lists when they made their choices for the semifinals.

"But you still have to take into account the game because not all are the same. You look at the teams in the semis and you also look at the experience of the referees concerned. That's all part of the mix," Lawrence said. - Sapa