SANZAAR has announced that Angus Gardner is to referee his first Super Rugby Final next weekend. Having already announced that Jaco Peyper and Glen Jackson would officiate this weekend’s semi-finals, it was thought that SANZAAR may wait to see what sides get to the final, before announcing their Final selection.
The announcement of the 33-year-old Australian from Sydney is in line with match official selections for the tournament being merit-based and have included input from the team head coaches. The last few finals have been made with the same policy. The Waratahs, in this weekend’s semi-finals are from New South Wales, Australia, from where Gardner also hails.
Sanzaar confirmed that his maiden Super Rugby Final appointment “is reward for his high quality performances throughout the season.”
Gardner made his Super Rugby debut in 2012 when he refereed the Reds against the Rebels in Brisbane. He is now one of the most experienced Super Rugby referees, having whistled 60 Super Rugby matches. Up to now, he has taken charge of 13 matches in the 2018 season.
Gardner broke through at senior Test level in 2016 and during 2017 refereed in all the major Test match windows, including appointments in the 6 Nations and The Rugby Championship (TRC). He has refereed 13 Test matches and has been appointed to referee two TRC Tests this year – Argentina versus South Africa and South Africa versus New Zealand.
The assistant referees and television match official will be announced next week following the completion of the semi-finals.
This weekend, Jaco Peyper – Super Rugby’s most experienced referee – will take charge of the all-New Zealand semi-final in Christchurch where the top ranked team and defending champions, the Crusaders, host the Hurricanes. In the other semi-final, Glen Jackson will referee the match in Johannesburg where the Lions will be hoping top reach their third straight Final when they host 2014 Champions, from Australia, the New South Wales Waratahs.
Super Rugby Semi Finals
Crusaders v Hurricanes (in Christchurch)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SA)
ARs: Mike Fraser (NZ) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Shane McDermott (NZ)
Lions v Waratahs (in Johannesburg)
Referee: Glen Jackson (NZ)
ARs: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA) & Rasta Rasivhenge (SA)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
