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Two referees handed Test debuts as November appointments confirmed

Reuben Keane is primed for a Test rugby debut in November (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Federugby via Getty Images)

Australia’s Angus Gardner has been appointed to referee the November 2 clash in London between England and New Zealand, with Gardner’s fellow country man, Nic Berry, pencilled in for the November 8 game between Ireland and the All Blacks in Dublin.

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Another Australian, Reuben Keane, and Jeremy Rozier of France will make their Test debuts over the course of a November international window where 30 referees from 12 countries will take charge of the 36 Test matches and five other representative games.

A statement read: “Jordan Way (Australia) will take charge of the first match in the window, between Japan and New Zealand in Yokohama on October 26, with Andrea Piardi (Italy) to referee the last match on November 30 between Ireland and Australia in Dublin.

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Referee Angus Gardner on his unique shadow preparation – Whistleblowers | RPTV

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      Referee Angus Gardner on his unique shadow preparation – Whistleblowers | RPTV

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      “Craig Evans (Wales), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Sam Grove-White (Scotland), Luc Ramos (France), Christophe Ridley (England) and Hollie Davidson (Scotland) will all take charge of two Test matches in this window.

      “Davidson is one of two female officials appointed by World Rugby to matches in November alongside Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), who has been selected as assistant referee for three matches: Georgia vs All Blacks XV on November 10, Spain vs Fiji on November 16 and Georgia vs Tonga on November 24.

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      “Jeremy Rozier (France) and Reuben Keane (Australia) will make their Test debuts. Keane will take charge of Hong Kong China vs Brazil on November 9 with Rozier to referee the Netherlands vs Chile a week later.

      “Nika Amashukeli will referee the repeat of the Rugby World Cup 2023 opening match between France and New Zealand at Stade de France on November 16. Fellow Georgian Saba Abulashvili has been handed his first Test referee appointment – Spain vs USA on November 23 – after officiating at the U20 Championship in July.

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      Confirmation of any law trials operational during the window will be made by the respective competition owners and unions in the coming weeks.”

      Brett Robinson, men’s Emirates World Rugby high performance match officials selectors chairman, said: “As we build towards Rugby World Cup 2031 in the USA via an expanded Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia and the new Nations Cup, we continue to be focused on developing a broader team of match officials.

      “With a new match officiating strategy and high-performance system, deeper collaboration across unions and competitions, the evolution is reflected in this selection. Congratulations to all.”

      World Rugby high performance 15s match official manager Joel Jutge added: “Throughout 2024 we have been focusing on resetting the relationship with coaches, embedding a new performance structure and driving clarity across the game.

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      “With law amendments, law trials and a revised television match official process to contend with, I am proud of how the team has responded. November is the next step for us to give experience to a wider team with an eye on Rugby World Cup 2031 in the USA.”

      • Click here for the full list on international match appointments
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      M
      Mzilikazi 1 hour ago
      The numbers show Super Rugby Pacific just got even tougher

      I’m not confident that our Australian sides will set“ the heather on fire” this year, as they say in Scotland, or probably in some households, Dunedin too. Starting with Qld., They should, with the roster they have, be the team to beat in Australia, and a tough assignment for any of the NZ teams, either side of the Tasman.


      But so far they have been erratic, brilliant plays interspersed with poor handling, poor decision making, and sheer stupidity. The latter highlighted by both McReight and Daugunu, albeit in different games, handling the ball at the ruck, when lying on the ground. Would like to see a “stupidity fine” for such actions, say $1000.00 for first offence…and that is a serious comment.


      I would see this weekend in Christchurch as a tough one for the Reds, especially without LSL still, and now Flook and Uru. Any team with Will Jordan has to be respected.


      The Waratahs sit on two wins, but by 1 and five points only. Their roster is strong, but still they don’t look a cohesive team yet. The Force are a far better team this year, and could well cause an upset in this upcoming game.


      I think the Brumbies will struggle more this year to get up over the top sides, especially the NZ teams, and away from home. I feel Stephen Larkham has a ceiling as a coach, which he is struggling the breach. Taking on the Blues in Auckland could turn nasty. Vern Cotter’s scrum focus, and success in that aera so far will be a big test for our side.


      Where I see th NZ sides, alll of them, ahead of our teams, is the speed and accuracy of their breakdown work. Their scrum halves have a far easier role than any Australian 9. The other area of superiority for the NZ teams is the speed at which they exploit areas, take chances.


      Anyway, upset results so far have certainly made this year far more interesting than previous years. Long may this continue.

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