World Rugby have announced the first tranche of six women’s international match appointments for the next few months. These ones cover the non WXV matches – they are due to follow when all the host Union logistics have been finalised.
Australian duo, Jess Ling and Amber McLachlan will referee the two-test series between Fiji and South Africa in Suva and Lautoka on 8 and 15 August respectively, with Kiwi, Maggie Cogger-Orr taking charge of the second O’Reilly Cup 2026 test between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland on 22 August.
Ella Goldsmith (Australia) then officiates the Japan v Fijiana tie in Fukuoka on 4 September, a day before Zoe Naude (South Africa) will referee the South Africa v New Zealand match at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg which forms part of a double header with the third test of the men’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The last final appointment is in October when Clara Munarini from Italy will oversee the Ireland v Japan match in Cork, a week after the sides meet in the WXV Global Series 2026 in Galway.
Women’s internationals referee appointments
8 August 2026
Fiji v South Africa (Suva)
Referee: Jess Ling (Aus)
ARs: Amber McLachlan (Aus) & Erin Doherty (NZ)
TMO: Graham Cooper (Aus)
15 August 2026
Fiji v South Africa (Lautoka)
Referee: Amber McLachlan (Aus)
ARs: Jess Ling (Aus) & Chloe Sampson (NZ)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Aus)
22 August 2026
New Zealand v Australia – O’Reilly Cup (Auckland)
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)
ARs: Amber McLachlan (Aus) & Jess Ling (Aus)
TMO: Estelle Whaiapu (NZ)
4-5 September
Japan v Fiji (Fukuoka)
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Aus)
ARs: Lee Chui Yan Sunny (HKC) & Hibiki Ikeda (Jpn)
TMO: TBC
South Africa v New Zealand (Johannesburg)
Referee: Zoe Naude (SA)
ARs: Giana Viljoen (SA) & Angie Bezuidenhout (SA)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
3 October 2026
Ireland v Japan (Cork)
Referee: Clara Munarini (Ita)
ARs: Holly Wood (Eng) & Amber Stamp-Dunstan (Wal)
TMO: Dan Jones (Eng)
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