Australia’s Andrew Cole has been named the recipient of the 2021 Rugby Referee Award as part of the World Rugby Awards. As you can see from the video below, his award comes as recognition of a long career, both as an international referee, but also as a developer and coach to many others who have refereed throughout the world since. Congratulations Andrew!
World Rugby are announcing their awards throughout the week, culminating in the Players of the Year on Friday. The other awards announced today include two tries of the year. The International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year went to Emilie Boulard of France for her epic try against Wales on 3 April. The men’s equivalent went to Boulard’s countryman, Damian Penaud for his end-to-end try versus Scotland on 26 March. Congratulations both!
World Rugby Referee Award 2021 – Andrew Cole (AUS)
Andrew Cole refereed 44 Super Rugby games and 31 test matches from 1997-2005. The Australian’s test debut was Samoa v Tonga in 1997 with his final test being Ireland v Romania eight years later. He also refereed the second test between New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions in 2005. Selected as a referee for Rugby World Cup 1999 and 2003, he was a referee selector from 2012 through RWC 2015. Cole was head coach of referees at Rugby Australia from 2010-17 and is a Life Member of the Queensland Rugby Referees’ Association.