i'll pipe up (yawn).

As far as refs, well i think mike its already been said who the top ones are, and obviously everyone agrees, or the commentary would be ongoing.

Judges - as Scotty said, who can judge a judge if noone knows what the judges are doing. I will add this however. I dont think the emphasis should be necessarily on who the best judges are at this juncture (talking about who for the future etc) but the discussion should be on who is QUALIFIED. Now im not saying that a judge doing the paper work makes him/her any better than someone who hasnt...... but it does add CREDIBILITY. And as alluded to many times before - it (K1) is BIG, it's in the public eye. The public arent as naive as they once were.... so dotting the "i's" is essential.

Mr Smith from Otorohanga High School may be one hell of a rugby ref, but is he going to been seen running the sidelines for the AB's v Lions.... no. And why, because hes not trained to the appropiate levels. What happens if the sideline ref for the same match doesnt turn up? - does Mr Smith then get selected from the crowd of other rugby players who are there to watch the game to officiate.... again NO.

Education
Accreditation
Credibility
Professionalism

(Mr Smith is entirely fictious)