World Rugby have announced the match official appointments for the pool rounds of the Rugby World Cup 21 (played in 22). The delayed tournament kicks off in Auckland on 8 October. New Zealand referee, Maggie Cogger-Orr will blow the much travelled whistle in the opening game at Eden Park as France take on South Africa.
Team favourites;
- England’s games will be refereed by Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra), Joy Neville (Ire) and Lauren Jenner (NZ)
- New Zealand’s matches will be refereed by Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA), Hollie Davidson (Sco) and Aurélie Groizeleau (Fra)
- France’s other two matches will overseen by Joy Neville (Ire) and Amber McLachlan (Aus)
The referee appointments for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals will be announced after the pool stage is complete and the qualifying teams are known.
Whistle being cycled to Auckland
The whistle reference above relates to a charity cycle ride, in which the specially-made match whistle is currently being transported to Eden Park by adventurers Ron Rutland and Adam Nunn. They are due to complete the Race to RWC 2021, 16,500km cycling quest having left from Tokyo to head to Auckland. They’re raising funds for the tournament’s charity partner, ChildFund Rugby. As this post is published, they have just arrived in Sydney, Australia.
Focus on alignment, refinement and consistency
World Rugby Referee Talent Development Manager, and former RWC referee herself, Alhambra Nievas said, “All roads lead to Rugby World Cup 2021 and in our final weeks our focus is on alignment, refinement and consistency. We have an exciting mix of match officials who have worked extremely hard over the last four years to earn their place in the team. With the selection of the pool phase schedule complete, it’s an exciting milestone for match officials to see what games they will officiate, what stadiums they will be in, and brings a new level of focus for the team.”
Rugby World Cup 2021 – Pool games match official appointments
South Africa v France
Saturday 8 October – Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
ARs: Sara Cox (RFU) & Kat Roche (USAR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Fiji v England
Saturday 8 October – Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
ARs: Lauren Jenner (NZR) & Maria Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
TMO: Chris Assmus (RC)
Australia v New Zealand
Saturday 8 October – Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
ARs: Sara Cox (RFU) & Kat Roche (USAR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
USA v Italy
Sunday 9 October – Northland Events Centre, Whangārei
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
ARs: Julianne Zussman (RC) & Tyler Miller (RA)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Japan v Canada
Sunday 9 October – Northland Events Centre, Whangārei
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
ARs: Amber McLachlan (RA) & Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (NZR)
Wales v Scotland
Sunday 9 October – Northland Events Centre, Whangārei
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
ARs: Julianne Zussman (RC) & Tyler Miller (RA)
TMO: Chris Assmus (RC)
Scotland v Australia
Saturday 15 October – Northland Events Centre, Whangārei
Referee: Lauren Jenner (NZR)
ARs: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) & Kat Roche (USAR)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (NZR)
USA v Japan
Saturday 15 October – Northland Events Centre, Whangārei
Referee: Amber McLachlan (RA)
ARs: Maggie Cogger-Orr (RA) & Maria Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
France v England
Saturday 15 October – Northland Events Centre, Whangārei
Referee: Joy Neville (IRFU)
ARs: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) & Kat Roche (USAR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Italy v Canada
Sunday 16 October – Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
ARs: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR) & Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (NZR)
Wales v New Zealand
Sunday 16 October – Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
ARs: Julianne Zussman (RC) & Tyler Miller (RA)
TMO: Chris Assmus (RC)
Fiji v South Africa
Sunday 16 October – Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
ARs: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR) & Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
Australia v Wales
Saturday 22 October – Northland Events Centre, Whangārei
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
ARs: Julianne Zussman (RC) & Maria Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
New Zealand v Scotland
Saturday 22 October – Northland Events Centre, Whangārei
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
ARs: Clara Munarini (FIR) & Kat Roche (USAR)
TMO: Chris Assmus (RC)
France v Fiji
Saturday 22 October – Northland Events Centre, Whangārei
Referee: Amber McLachlan (RA)
ARs: Julianne Zussman (RC) & Maria Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Japan v Italy
Sunday 23 October – Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
ARs: Hollie Davidson (SRU) & Tyler Miller (RA)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Canada v USA
Sunday 23 October – Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
ARs: Joy Neville (IRFU) & Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
England v South Africa
Sunday 23 October – Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
Referee: Lauren Jenner (NZR)
ARs: Hollie Davidson (SRU) & Tyler Miller (RA)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (NZR)
