New Zealand’s Nick Briant (pictured) will blow the first whistle of a packed test schedule in November with match officials having been appointed by World Rugby to take charge of no fewer than 40 internationals.
During what is an important stage in the Rugby World Cup cycle for the further development of elite match officials, a total of 33 referees have been appointed to test matches in November.
Briant, who has previously refereed six tests, will take charge of the Japan v Australia match in Yokohama, on Saturday 4 November for what should be a great occasion for all rugby fans in the Land of the Rising Sun at the venue that will stage the final of Rugby World Cup 2019 in two years’ time.
Nearly a month later, France’s Jérôme Garcès will referee the Wales v South Africa match in Cardiff on 2 December, closing what will surely be a memorable few weeks for international rugby. In the intervening period, all 10 tier one unions will be involved as well as a host of emerging teams and there will be seven matches involving both.
The appointments also feature some non-test matches including the Barbarians’ games against Australia and New Zealand on 28 October in Sydney and 4 November at Twickenham. They also include an exciting four-team international series to be played in Hong Kong with Kenya, Chile, Russia and the home team participating.
Four referees – Ben O’Keeffe from New Zealand, Mathieu Raynal from France, Andrew Brace from Ireland and England’s Matthew Carley – have received two test appointments each.
World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee Chairman, Anthony Buchanan said, “We are very much looking ahead and developing talent towards RWC 2019 in Japan. November provides us with a huge number of very challenging matches for the referees, assistant referees and TMOs. This gives us the opportunity to see how some emerging match officials perform under that increased pressure and intensity which international rugby provides.”
“The ultimate goal is to arrive in Japan in 2019 with an established group of top-class, in-form officials with the necessary experience to perform at the highest level. Our focus continues to be clear and consistent decision-making and the highest standards of physical conditioning.”
The World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee comprises:
- Chairman Anthony Buchanan,
- Lyndon Bray (SANZAAR)
- Joël Jutge (European Professional Club Rugby) and
- Alain Rolland, World Rugby High Performance Match Officials Manager.
- In addition, former international player and coach Nick Mallett serves as an advisor to the committee.
The selection system allows for movement in and out of the panel based on form and rewards the top performers and young referees who have graduated through the performance pathway. Every performance is closely scrutinised and reviewed to ensure accountability. In addition, there is regular consultation with coaches with their feedback helping to inform selection decisions.
The full list of appointments can be found here and will be uploaded to RugbyReferee appointments calendar, which you can subscribe to here
Federico Anslmi did not get any appointment, why?
We aren’t responsible for the appointments, but are sure that World Rugby would point to S American officials growing in stature and being appointed to other tournaments. Im sure Boli’s involvement will continue. Are you sure he isn’t injured perhaps?