Neutral referees are to disappear in the Super 14 rugby competition.
Governing body SANZAR has taken the ground-breaking step to empower their top whistle-blowers to handle more of the best matches in the tournament to ensure the highest standard of refereeing.
Australian, New Zealand and South African officials will be appointed from a panel founded on merit before nationality.
In the past referees could only control matches involving their countrymen when both sides were from the same country.
