Watson relaxed about chances of test match thuggery
June 29, 2001

South African referee Andre Watson
said on Friday that he did not fear a bloody forward battle in Saturday's first Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions.

"Unlike the press at the moment, I have no fear of the game developing into
a big fight or continuous dirty tactics. I dont believe the players will go out onto the field with that intention," said the 43-year-old.

"In the unlikely event of that happening, I believe I am competent and
experienced enough to deal with it as it happens," added Watson who also
refereed the 1999 World Cup final.
In that match in Cardiff Australian captain John Eales told him he would
take his team off if the referee did not stop France from eye-gouging.
Watson, who also refereed the 2000 Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand and the finals of the Super 12 and the Currie Cup, will try to encourage a free-flowing game.

"The whole world will be watching and I want the better side to win on the day, without my having caused any team to lose or win because I have done
something wrong," he added.

The first of the 18 Tests Watson refereed was Australia v Canada in 1996.

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