Referees to 22 July 2018
There are three big international events this weekend – the two Sevens World Cups in sunny San Francisco and the quarter-finals of Super Rugby in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as teams seek to knock opponents out.
Rasta Rasivhenge and Alhambra Nievas both refereed finals of the Sevens at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the first such evens at the Games and so marking their place forever in rugby history. They received the Referee of the Year award in 2016, as Joy Neville did in 2017.
Some of the referees have represented their countries at 15s or Sevens – Richard Haughton, Damon Murphy, Joy Neville, Alhambra Nievas and Rebecca Mahoney who was twice in a New Zealand team which won the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Paddy O’Brien, once one of the top referees in the world and now in charge of Sevens referees for World Rugby, said: “The Rugby World Cup Sevens only comes around once in every four years and is a major highlight of the rugby Sevens calendar.
“Just like the players, our team of highly experienced match officials are preparing themselves both mentally and physically, ready to play their part in what is destined to be an outstanding showcase of rugby Sevens in an iconic venue.”
The iconic venue is the AT&T Park in San Francisco, the home of the San Francisco Giants. It was opened in 2000, cost $357 million and seats 42 000. AT&T stands for the American Telephone and Telegraph Company.
International
Rugby World Cup Sevens at the AT&T Park, San Francisco
Men
Referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Sam Grove-White (Scotland), Richard Haughton (England), Richard Kelly (New Zealand), Damon Murphy (Australia), Mike O’Brien (USA), Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa), Jérémy Rozier (France), Matt Rodden (Hong Kong), Damian Schneider (Argentina).
Women
Referees: Beatrice Benvenuti (Italy), Sara Cox (England), Ben Crouse (South Africa), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Adam Jones (Wales), Sakurako Kawasaki (Japan), Rebecca Mahoney (New Zealand), Joy Neville (Ireland), Alhambra Nievas (Spain) .
Super Rugby Quarterfinals
Hurricanes vs Chiefs at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Crusaders vs Sharks at AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Television match official: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
Waratahs vs Highlanders at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
Lions vs Jaguares at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Egon Seconds (South Africa)
Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Domestic
South Africa
Under-19 Championship
Sharks vs Leopards at KINGS PARK 2, Durban
Referee: Vusi Msibi
Free State vs Western Province at Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
Referee: Jaco Kotze
Golden Lions vs Vodacom Blue Bulls at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Divan Uys
Women’s Inter-Provincial
Kwa-Zulu Natal vs Free State at KINGS PARK 2, Durban
Referee: Lusanda Mtiya
Western Province vs Blue Bulls at City Park, Athlone
Referee: Maria Mabote
Border vs Eastern Province at Buffalo City Municipal Stadium, East London
Referee: Ashleigh Murray
