It’s round two of the Rugby Championship and this time, referees Nic Berry and Ben O’Keeffe are in charge of the games.
It’s the first round of the Pacific Nations Cup. The tournament will be contested by Japan, Canada, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and USA over three rounds up to the 10 August, offering teams – and referees – a vital chance to fine tune their performances. To start with, Andrew Brace, a RWC AR will be refereeing the N America derby in Denver. Luke Pearce is on the other side of the Pacific as Japan play Fiji, and Mike Fraser takes charge of Samoa v Tonga.
In South Africa, Currie Cup action continues with the familiar names of Peyper, Stu Berry and Egon Seconds taking charge of the Premier division matches. Interesting to see the Argentines having a playing presence in the competition being backed up with officials being involved too. The Jaguares are playing the EP Province, with compadre Pablo DeLuca refereeing the Leopards v Bulldogs match.
Enjoy the rugby!
The Rugby Championship – round 2
Australia v Argentina
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZR) & Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
TMO: Ben Skeen (NZR)
New Zealand v South Africa
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
ARs: Angus Gardner (RA) & Shuhei Kubo (JRFU)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (RFU)
Pacific Nations Cup
Japan v Fiji
Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Japan
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
ARs: Mike Adamson (SRU) & Cam Stone (NZR)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
USA v Canada
Infinity Park, Denver, CO, USA
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
ARs: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) & Ludovic Cayre (FFR)
TMO: David Grashoff (RFU)
Samoa v Tonga
Apia Park, Samoa
Referee: Mike Fraser (NZL)
ARs: Nick Briant (NZL) & Kaveni Talemaivavalagi (Fiji)
Currie Cup Premier Division – Round 3
Pumas v Blue Bulls
Referee: Egon Seconds
ARs: Eduan Nel & Johra Botha
TMO: Johan Greeff
Free State Cheetahs v Griquas
Referee: Jaco Peyper
ARs: Stephan Geldenhuys & Eon van Zyl
TMO: JJ Wagner
Western Province v Golden Lions
Referee: Stuart Berry
ARs: Marius van der Westhuizen & Cwengile Jadezweni
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
Currie Cup First Division – Round 4
SWD Eagles v Boland Cavaliers
Referee: Griffin Colby
Leopards v Border Bulldogs
Referee: Pablo Deluca (Arg)
Valke v Down Touch Griffons
Referee: Quinton Immelman
EP Elephants v Jaguares XV
Referee: AJ Jacobs
