Whistle-blower Steve Walsh has paid the price for Super 14's ANZ Stadium horror show but Brumbies players have also copped criticism in getting their way this week.

Skipper Stephen Hoiles has been told to improve his dealings with referees, prop Ben Alexander to improve his scrummaging technique and Matt Giteau - who was fined $5000 for a post-match outburst - to button his lips.

SANZAR referees boss Lyndon Bray launched a staunch defence of Walsh as an official despite relieving him of his duties for the Brumbies' must-win clash with Queensland this Saturday night.

Former New Zealand Test referee Bray said Walsh's position was made "untenable" due to scathing criticism from the Brumbies following their 19-12 loss to NSW.

To the relief of the Brumbies, the Sydney-based Kiwi, who has returned to the game this year after overcoming personal issues, has been replaced by Chris Pollock for the sake of the crucial encounter at Canberra Stadium.

"What we've done is not demote Steve from the game, we've taken Steve off it," Bray told AAP from New Zealand.

"The bottom line is Steve had an average night at the office, he's not being taken off this game because he had a poor performance, but in regards to this weekend, leaving him on this weekend is just not a good fit to put him back on with the Brumbies.

"He's a class referee and I quite admire what he's achieved in this competition after having a year out of rugby.

"We're still backing his performance and we'll be happy to have him back in (next week)."

Bray made it clear responsibility for the ugly nature of the ANZ Stadium match also lay with opposing Wallabies props Ben Alexander and Al Baxter and Brumbies skipper Stephen Hoiles.

He also slammed Giteau's inflammatory comments that it would be pointless for the Brumbies to turn up if Walsh was retained, telling Radio Sport NZ the hammer needed to brought down and it would be "nice" if he was suspended.

Bray didn't get his wish though with Giteau escaping a ban after a SANZAR hearing on Wednesday night, freeing him to play against the Reds.

Hoiles engaged in a running duel with Walsh for most of the night, which also included a disallowed try to Adam Ashley-Cooper.

The spark was a dubious penalty ruled against the Brumbies No.8 in the opening minutes which prompted Hoiles to label it a "rubbish call".

Walsh marched him a further 10m and twice told his "good work".

Bray admitted Walsh needed to review his dealings with captains and appear more neutral after being more than friendly with Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh.

"But in the flip side of that I think it's a good lesson for Stephen Hoiles," he said.

"I think Phil Waugh has learnt in the last few years how to become more conciliatory.

"He used to be incredibly demanding and challenging as a captain and what you've seen with Phil is a real maturity in his approach."

Bray has put the heat on Brumbies loose-head Alexander and Waratahs tight-head Baxter to improve their scrummaging by referring the issue of numerous collapsed scrums to national scrum coach Patricio Noriega.

"We're really looking for a higher responsibility placed on those two forwards (Baxter and Alexander)," he said.

Bray reported Walsh was philosophical about the decision to swap with New Zealander Pollock.

He will now control Saturday week's NSW-Chiefs clash in Hamilton to which Pollock was originally assigned.

"He understands that if we left him on this game it would be about the referee, he is going to be in the spotlight and that's not healthy for that particular fixture," he said.

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