World Rugby has confirmed the team of match officials who have been selected for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
There’s a total of 26 in the team – 12 referees, seven assistant referees and seven Television Match Officials (needed to support the intended TMO bunker process). They represent nine nations with more than 630 test appearances between them.
In an experienced referee group, Wayne Barnes (England), holder of the most test appearances (102), will officiate his fifth-straight Rugby World Cup. Meanwhile, Nika Amashukeli will becomes the first Georgian to officiate at a Rugby World Cup. Matthew Carley (Eng), Karl Dickson (Eng) and Andrew Brace (Ire) all step up as referees after supporting as ARs in 2019. The other referees for 2023, are Nic Berry (Aus), Angus Gardner (Aus), Ben O’Keeffe (NZ), Luke Pearce (Eng), Jaco Peyper (SA), Mathieu Raynal (Fra) and Paul Williams (NZ). The referee group has 453 tests among them.
As we did, RugbyReferee.net readers will probably be looking for the missing names – there’s no selection spots for Mike Adamson (Sco) or Damon Murphy (Aus), and James Doleman (NZ) will travel as an AR. All three refereed during the 2023 Guinness Six Nations, so would have been in contention for a whistling slot. Others who may have garnered a hope of making the AR group, but who also miss out include Tual Trainini (Fra) and Frank Murphy (Ire).
Rugby World Cup 2017 final referee Joy Neville becomes the first woman to officiate at a men’s Rugby World Cup, taking one of the TMO seats. Another interesting sub-story in the TV truck/bunker is Ben Whitehouse from Wales, who follows in the father’s footsteps to a men’s Rugby World Cup. Nigel Whitehouse was an assistant referee and TMO at RWC 2003. Both Neville and Whitehouse (jnr) double-up having been at RWC21 last year.
Earned on merit
Chairman of the Match Officials Selection Committee Graham Mourie said, “I would like to extend my congratulations to the 26 match officials selected for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. Like the players, they have earned their place on merit and have worked incredibly hard, making many sacrifices to be in contention for selection.
“I would like to put on record our thanks to them and those who just missed out. It speaks volumes about this group that, like every great team, they have all encouraged each other along the way.
“These men and women are not only representing their nations, they are also representing the global officiating fraternity and truly are ‘everyone’s team’, playing their full part in enabling players to perform to their best at our pinnacle men’s event and we should all get behind them.”
Unwavering spirit
World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Official Manager Joël Jutge added, “The journey to Rugby World Cup 2023 is not an easy one for match officials. There are fewer roles with as much public scrutiny, but I am proud of how the team has responded to the ups and downs, always being open and acting with integrity.
“Selection is one milestone, and we have a lot of work to do before the start of the tournament with warm-up matches and The Rugby Championship. But this team has a great work ethic, an unwavering spirit and a great bond and we will all benefit from increased time together as we prepare for what will be a very special Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.”
The appointments for the pool phase will be announced after the completion of The Rugby Championship and Rugby World Cup preparation matches.
Rugby World Cup 2023 Match Officials
Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Wayne Barnes (England), Nic Berry (Australia), Andrew Brace (Ireland), Matthew Carley (England), Karl Dickson (England), Angus Gardner (Australia), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Luke Pearce (England), Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Mathieu Raynal (France), Paul Williams (New Zealand).
Assistant Referees: Chris Busby (Ireland), Pierre Brousset (France), James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales), Andrea Piardi (Italy), Christophe Ridley (England), Jordan Way (Australia).
Television Match Officials: Brett Cronan (Australia), Tom Foley (England), Marius Jonker (South Africa), Brian MacNeice (Ireland), Joy Neville (Ireland), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Ben Whitehouse (Wales).
