We have the second leg of the Rugby Championship double headers this weekend, and it’s Luke Pearce and Karl Dickson who take the referees’ whistle. Pearce is in Johannesburg for the SA v NZ game whereas Karl Dickson referees Argentina v the Wallabies in San Juan. Clara Munarini from Italy (top right) will be referees the SA Women’s game against Spain Women as part of their RWC21 warm up, also in Jo’burg, before the men kick off.
Ben O’Keeffe will be refereeing his 8th Ranfurly Shield game in New Zealand. The Shield, colloquially known as the ‘Log o’ Wood’, is a trophy in New Zealand’s domestic competition. First played for in 1904, the Shield is based on a challenge system and the winner has kept hold of it since. In the Farah Palmer Cup, expat Andy Morton (pic bottom left), is on refereeing debut having moved from North of England to the North Island in recent years. We also have the match officials for the Super 6s which has resumed in Scotland.
I wouldn’t normally bring you news of school U15s or second VX appointments, but these are special ones from Victoria in Australia. This weekend, Bill Gillies and Stephan Hubert will become the first two referees to officially oversee 400 matches for the Victoria Rugby Referee Association – a huge milestone that requires dedication, longevity, and most importantly a love for the game. Both Stephan and Bill started refereeing for the VRRA in 1995 – that’s some going! This weekend, Bill referees St Kevin’s v Brighton Grammar u15s, while Stephan takes charge of the 2nd XV game between Brighton and Trinity Grammar. Congratulations gents!
Enjoy your weekends
Keith
The Rugby Championship – round 2
South Africa v New Zealand
Referee: Luke Pearce (Eng)
ARs: Angus Gardner (Aus) & Christophe Ridley (Eng)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Aus)
Argentina v Australia
Referee: Karl Dickson (Eng)
ARs: Mike Adamson (Sco) & Chris Busby (Ire)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
RWC21 Warm-up Internationals
South Africa v Spain
Referee: Clara Munarini (Ita)
ARs: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra) & Doriane Domenjo (Fra)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
New Zealand – Bunnings Warehouse NPC, round 2
Otago v Tasman
Referee: Dan Waenga
ARs: Caleb Neilson & Sam Nicholson
TMO: Chris Hart
Northland v Waikato
Referee: Stu Curran
ARs: Stephen Ball & Jaco Cronje
TMO: Llew Smart
Canterbury v Wellington
Referee: James Doleman
ARs: TBC
TMO: TBC
Southland v Auckland
Referee: Jono Bredin
ARs: Sam Nicholson & Taylor Swan
TMO: Andrew Rowland
Bay of Plenty v Taranaki
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
ARs: Jamie Bell & Jaco Brouwer
TMO: Cam Russell
North Harbour v Manawatu
Referee: Paul Williams
ARs: Ryan Borthwick & Kyle Lagerwall
TMO: Jonathan Paterson
Hawke’s Bay v Counties Manukau
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
ARs: Stu Catley & Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri
TMO: Mark Johnson
Otago v Hawke’s Bay (17th)
Referee: Marcus Playle
ARs: TBC & TBC
New Zealand – Farah Palmer Cup, round 5
Otago v Tasman
Referee: Cassie Watt
ARs: Sam Nicholson & Erin Doherty
Hawke’s Bay v Taranaki
Referee: Tanieka Uerata
ARs: Stu Catley & Andy Clark
Northland v North Harbour
Referee: Marcus Playle
ARs: Boris Jurlina & Marcus Tomlinson
Manawatu v Wellington
Referee: Tarsh Ganley
ARs: Ben Koch & Jacob Booth
Canterbury v Waikato
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr
ARs: Jeremy McAlister & Mitchell Bailey
Bay of Plenty v Counties Manukau
Referee: Andy Morton
ARs: Estelle Whaiapu & Neco Blank
Scotland – Super 6s – Round 2
Southern Knights v Boroughmuir Bears
Referee: Ruairidh Campbell
ARs: Michael Todd & Bob Nevins
Stirling Wolves v Heriot’s Rugby
Referee: Jonny Perriam
ARs: Ian Kenny & Alistair Watt
Watsonians v Ayrshire Bulls
Referee: Finlay Brown
ARs: Ruairidh Campbell & Grant Stephen
