The big final this weekend is in New Zealand where Angus Gardner (pictured top left) referees the Super Rugby Pacific Final. The Crusaders are playing the Chiefs in Christchurch. Go well Gus. There’s also the two Conference finals in the US – Federico Anselmi (top right) referees the Eastern final in New England, as Robin Kaluzniak takes charge of the Western version in Utah. Although the international window is not officially open, there are two “friendlies” taking place. In Twickenham, Hollie Davidson will oversee an England XV taking on a French XV – the Top14 semi-finals are this weekend, so it’s very much a warm up match for the rest to stake their claims! Over in Dublin, James Doleman (bottom right) has made the long trek up to referee the British & Irish Lions warm up match against Argentina.
We have the Top14 MO teams for you (the FFR/LNR announced Pierre Brousset will referee the final next weekend) as well as the Asia Rugby champs, Currie Cup matches and the County Championship finals from England.
Finally, there’s a World Record attempt just wrapping up as this goes out, to make the longest ever rugby match. There’s six referees involved in the 40hour match up, hosted at Mullingar RFC in aid of the LooseHeads, Wooden Spoon and B&I Foundation charities. You can see the list below and dom if you can, support them here. Also a shout out to Nathan Pearce in New South Wales – former Super Rugby and test referee – who this weekend referees his 1,000th match – and plenty of years ahead of him to more! Congrats Nathan.
Good luck everyone
Keith
Summer internationals
England XV v France XV (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Eoghan Cross (Ire) & Sam Grove White (Sco)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
British & Irish Lions v Argentina (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Rugby Asia Championship- round 2
Korea v UAE
Referee: Morgan White (HKC)
ARs: Craig Chan (HKC) & Francesco Cammisa (HKC)
TMO: Shane Barr (HKC)
Performance Reviewer: Peter Hudson
Hong Kong China v Sri Lanka
Referee: Takehito Namekawa (Jpn)
ARs: Ibuki Tetsuka (Jpn) & Top Dechdanai (Thai)
TMO: Tasuku Kawahara (Jpn)
Performance Reviewer: Simon Dodd
Rugby Europe: 7s
Men’s 7s Conference 2 (in Pristina)
Referees: Derek Fisher (Aut), Bram Oudman (Ned), Colin O’Shaughnessy (Swe), James Thomas (Swi) & Juanma Escudero (Spa)
Men’s 7s Conference 1 & Women’s 7s Conference (in Andorra)
Referees: Viktoria Magyar (Hun), Nora Vater (Aut), Gabriella de Pellegrini (Swi), Chiara Carnina (Ita), Pierre de Smaele (Bel), Ruaridh Smith (Ger) Andrei Ballock (Rom), Samuel Grando (Swi) & Miezko Lech (Pol)
Super Rugby Pacific – Grand Final
Crusaders v Chiefs
Referee: Angus Gardner
ARs: Damon Murphy & Matt Kellahan
TMO: Brett Cronan
France: Top 14: Semi-finals
Stade Toulousain v Aviron Bayonnais
Referee: Luc Ramos
ARs: Tual Trainini & Kevin Bralley
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure
Union Bordeaux Bègles v RC Toulon
Referee: Ludovic Cayre
ARs: Benoit Rousselet & Adrien Marbot
TMO: Julien Castaignède
MLR – Conference Finals
Eastern Conference Championship Final – New England Free Jacks v Chicago Hounds
Referee: Federico Anselmi
ARs: Lex Weiner & Cam Russell
TMO: Derek Summers
Western Conference Championship Final – Utah Warriors v Houston Sabercats
Referee: Robin Kaluzniak
ARs: Marquise Goodwin & Shanda Assmus
TMO: Derek Summers
LooseHeads/Wooden Spoon/Lions Trust Longest Rugby Match attempt
One pitch. Four teams. 36 hours: Location: Mullingar RFC, Ireland
Referees: Aurelie Lemouzy, Edward Reed, Jonny Cartwright, Josh Bate, Simon Turner & Stuart Bage
England: County Finals
Gill Burns Div1 Final (Women’s): Yorkshire v Buckinghamshire
Referee: Yueli Ang (London)
Jason Leonard u20 Final (Men’s): Lancashire v Devon
Referee: Jack Moorhouse (Manchester & District)
Bill Beaumonts Div 1 Final (Men’s): Yorkshire v Kent
Referee: Henry Pearson (Manchester & District)
South Africa: Currie Cup first division – Round 2
Border Bulldogs v Phangela SWD Eagles
Referee: Daniel Canhenga
Valke v Leopards
Referee: Lulutho Matomela
NovaVit Griffons v Eastern Province
Referee: Caleb Hibbert
Australia: NSW Blowes Cup
Bathurst Bulldogs v Cowra Eagles
Referee: Nathan Pearce (1,000th match)
ARs: TBC
