The Pacific Nations Cup kicks off this weekend with referees James Doleman (pictured top left) – heading to Suva – and Eoghan Cross (top right) having the longer trek from Ireland to Vancouver. For those watching, they’ll be operating under the closed law trials with a host of minor variations in play.
There’s also domestic action in New Zealand, S Africa, Scotland and Ireland too. Congrats to Todd Petrie who makes his NPC debut on Sunday and Marcus Playle who is refereeing the Ranfurly Shield match on Friday evening. The Shield is one of those continuous trophies/challenges where the holder tries to keep hold of it every time they play. It was first played for in 1904, and the holder defends the shield in challenge matches, usually at the holder’s home venue – Hawkes Bay at the moment.
The eagle eyed among you may spot that Chris Pollock – former international referee and currently head of NZ elite referees – on the list. He will AR for Nick Briant as the Poverty Bay region and the referee community pay their respects to Damien MacPherson (pic right) who lost his life in a boating accident earlier this year. Damian was an excellent first class referee from the area and is sadly missed.
In the Farah Palmer Cup, Larissa Wollerton (bottom left of main graphic) takes the whistle for the first time this season down in Taranaki.
There’s Irish Interprovincials as well as a new season starting for Scotland’s women’s premiership. Beatriz Casarez Fernandez (bottom right) will oversee the match at Heriot’s who host Stirling County.
Enjoy your rugby this weekend
Keith
2024 Pacific Nations Cup
Fiji v Samoa (in Suva)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Angus Mabey (NZ) & Reuben Keane (Aus)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
Canada v Japan (in Vancouver)
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ire)
ARs: Kat Roche (USA) & Luke Rogan (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
New Zealand: 2024 Bunnings NPC – Round 3
Hawke’s Bay v Northland (for Ranfurly Shield)
Referee: Marcus Playle
ARs: Jono Bredin & Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri
TMO: Rob Wells
Counties Manukau v Tasman
Referee: Mike Winter
ARs: Brandon Roberts & Robert Shore
TMO: Aaron Paterson
Auckland v Canterbury
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
ARs: Tim Oliff & Sam Adam
TMO: Robert Harman
Southland v Taranaki
Referee: Nick Hogan
ARs: Sam Nicholson & Joshua Hamill
TMO: Andrew Rowland
Wellington v Manawatu
Referee: Jono Bredin
ARs: Jack Sargentina & Matt Thomas
TMO: Jared Clarke
Otago v Bay of Plenty
Referee: Todd Petrie
ARs: Fraser Hannon & Caleb Neilson
TMO: Rodger Hewitt
North Harbour v Waikato
Referee: Paul Williams
ARs: Scott McKenzie & Ryan Borthwick
TMO: Jonathan Paterson
NZ: Heartland Championship – round 2
Mid Canterbury v West Coast
Referee: Jackson Henshaw
ARs: Kevin Opele & Hamish Grant
Buller v King Country
Referee: Ben Alexander
ARs: Gary Reilly & Gareth Allen
Horowhenua Kapiti v East Coast
Referee: Ben Woolerton
ARs: Randal Peni & Quentin Hathaway
South Canterbury v Wairarapa Bush
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr
ARs: Tobay Scannell & Dion Ayers
Thames Valley v Otago
Referee: Stu Catley
ARs: Noah Viliamu & Brian Rose
Poverty Bay v Whanganui
Referee: Nick Briant
ARs: Royce Maynard & Chris Pollock
NZ: Farah Palmer Cup Premiership – round 3
Hawke’s Bay v Northland
Referee: Taneika Uerata
ARs: Dave Clarkson & Max Lancaster
Canterbury v Auckland
Referee: Tiana Anderson
ARs: Josh Edmonds & Steven Laird
Bay of Plenty v Counties Manukau
Referee: Warwick Lahmert
ARs: Neco Blanc & Nick Burton
NZ: Farah Palmer Cup Championship – round 3
Otago v Tasman
Referee: Georgia Mason
ARs: Erin Doherty & Amy Eason
Wellington v Manawatu
Referee: Natarsha Ganley
ARs: Ollie Michie & Monique McCarthy
Taranaki v North Harbour
Referee: Larissa Woolerton
ARs: Will Johnston & Chloe Sampson
South Africa: Carling Currie Cup Premier Division
Vodacom Bulls v Suzuki Griquas
Referee: AJ Jacobs
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen
DHL Western Province v Hollywoodbets Sharks XV
Referee: Dylen November
TMO: Egon Seconds
Toyota Cheetahs v Fidelity ADT Lions
Referee: Morne Ferreira
TMO: Quinton Immelman
NovaVit Griffons v Airlink Pumas
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Quinton Immelman
Ireland: Womens Interprovincial Championship
Connacht v Munster
Referee: Cillian Hogan
Ulster v Leinster
Referee: Kevin Coffey
Scotland: Arnold Clark Women’s Premiership
Heriots Rugby v Stirling County
Referee: Beatriz Casarez Fernandez
ARs: Niamh Hay & Ronan MacHugh
Watsonians v Cartha Queens Park
Referee: Kyle Mcalinden
ARs: MC Dixon & Murray Galloway
Garioch v Corstorphine Cougars
Referee: Graeme Drybugh-Cook
ARs: Jess Butler & Sue Jones
Hillhead Jordanhill v Stewarty
Referee: Angus Healy
ARs: Rebecca Wheater & Sean Mallon
Australia: Rugby Victoria: Premiership Grand Final
Shepparton Bulls v Geelong Rams
Referee: Amber McLachlan
ARs: David Wall & Digby Brandenburg
Dewar Shield – Grand Final
Powerhouse v Footscray Bulldogs
Referee: Shannon McLachlan
ARs: Andrew Schwilk & Derek Shaw
Dewar Shield Reserves Grand Final
Harlequins v Footscray
Referee: Rob Whyte
ARs: Rob Osborn & Stephan Hubert
Dewar Shield 3rds Grand Final
Harlequins v Powerhouse
Referee: Nick Taylor
ARs: Matthew Parker & Justin de Waal