World Rugby has confirmed the match official appointments for five women’s test matches in June and July. Five officials from four countries will take charge of the matches, which include a two-test series between Fiji and Japan, the second O’Reilly Cup encounter between Australia and New Zealand and the Wales v Spain WXV play-off.
Aurélie Groizeleau (France, pictured left) will take charge of the WXV play-off between Wales and Spain (Rugby Europe Women’s Championship 2024 winners) in Cardiff on 29 June. The winner will qualify for WXV 2 in South Africa, with the loser heading to Dubai for WXV 3.
Tyler Miller (Australia) and Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand) will referee the Fiji v Japan matches in June before they turn their focus to sevens and the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand) will referee the Australia v Fiji fixture at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on 6 July, before Sara Cox (England) is in the middle for Australia v New Zealand at Ballymore in Brisbane on 14 July. It will be Cox’s 39th test rejoining South Africa’s Aimee Barrett-Theron as the most-capped female referee in test history.
World Rugby High Performance Women’s Referee Manager Alhambra Nievas said, “These test matches are important for the match official team as look to continue building momentum on the road to WXV and, ultimately, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.”
Women’s Summer internationals – Match official appointments
14 June
Fiji v Japan (in Suva)
Referee: Tyler Miller (RA)
ARs: Ella Goldsmith (RA) & Jess Ling (RA)
TMO: Rachel Horton (RA)
20 June
Fiji v Japan (in Lautoka)
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
ARs: Tiana Anderson (NZR) & Chloe Sampson (NZR)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (NZR)
29 June – WXV Play off
Wales v Spain (in Cardiff)
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
ARs: Holly Wood (RFU) & Adele Robert (BEL)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
6 July
Australia v Fiji (in Sydney)
Referee: Natarsha Ganley (NZR)
ARs: Tiana Anderson (NZR) & Chloe Sampson (NZR)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
14 July
Australia v New Zealand (for Laurie O’Reilly Cup, in Brisbane)
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
ARs: Natarsha Ganley (NZR) & Ella Goldsmith (RA)
TMO: Dan Jones (RFU)