The programme sees the traditional High Performance squad disbanded in favour of a regional model which will allow more referees the exposure to development and training.

Split along Super Rugby regional lines, the five squads will come together for three development workshops a year in their regions, with each group having leading coaches overseeing their programmes.

New Zealand Rugby’s High Performance Referee Manager Chris Pollock said the new model will lead to enhanced development of our referees.

“In New Zealand we are fortunate to have several international referees across the men’s and women’s game, so giving our emerging referees the ability to learn and develop alongside some of the world’s best is a great opportunity.

“By broadening our reach, we can focus on development and education within the referee pathway both on field and for referee coaches as well. We believe these changes will contribute significantly to the growth and improvement of our overall system,” said Pollock.

With five referees recently involved in the men’s Six Nations, and more appointments to be expected for the women’s Six Nations shortly, New Zealand refereeing stocks are in good health.

“It’s fantastic for our referees to see that pathway in action and by coming together for these regional workshops it will give emerging referees a taste of what is required to be at the top of the game.”

The Chiefs region is represented with the biggest selection, 17 referees coming together, while there are a total of 13 women across the five groups.

Former international players Tiana Anderson (Black Ferns Sevens), Krysten Cotterell (Black Ferns) and Warwick Lahmert (All Blacks Sevens) are included as are two husband-wife duos, with Cotterell joined by husband Tipene in the Hurricanes region group and Ben and Larissa Woolerton in the Chiefs region.

Cotterell, Chloe Sampson and Kaitlin Bates are all current reciepients of the New Zealand Rugby women’s rugby scholarship which targets current and former players to to get involved with refereeing.

Blues Region: Ben O’Keeffe (Auckland), Angus Mabey (Auckland), Marcus Playle (Auckland), Natarsha Ganley (North Harbour), Maggie Cogger-Orr (Auckland) (pictured above), Scott McKenzie (North Harbour), Todd Petrie (Auckland), Sam Adam (Auckland), Nathan Chesnut (Northland), Dean Harris (North Harbour), Kyle Lagerwall (North Harbour), Ryan Borthwick (North Harbour), Tim Olliff (Auckland), Ollie Hadfield (Auckland), Tomas Roche (Auckland), Leo Palmer (Northland), Dion Aho (Auckland)

Chiefs Region: Paul Williams (Taranaki), Brendon Pickerill (Bay of Plenty), Mike Winter (Waikato), Ben Woolerton (Waikato), Tiana Anderson (Bay of Plenty), Will Johnston (Taranaki), Andy Morton (Bay of Plenty), Ben Brownlie (Waikato), Brandon Roberts (Counties Manukau), Larrisa Woolerton (Waikato), Chloe Sampson (Taranaki), Kaitlin Bates (Waikato), Cole Northcott (Waikato), Warwick Lahmert (Taranaki), Mitch Young (Taranaki), Sam Fellows (Bay of Plenty), Liam Sargent (Counties Manukau), Estelle Whaiapu (Bay of Plenty)

Hurricanes Region: Dan Waenga (Hawke’s Bay), Stu Curran (Manawatu), Jono Bredin (Hawke’s Bay), Nick Hogan (Hawke’s Bay), Stu Catley (Hawke’s Bay), Tipene Cottrell (Hawke’s Bay), Jack Sargentina (Wellington), Krysten Cottrell (Hawke’s Bay), Jacob Booth (Manawatu), Matt McEwen (Manawatu), Matt Thomas (Wellington), Charlie Harris (Wellington), Ethan Loveridge (Wellington), Warwick Price (Manawatu), Sam Couper (Manawatu), Claire Richardson (Wellington)

Crusaders Region: Jackson Henshaw (South Canterbury), Dan Moore (Canterbury), Ben Alexander (Canterbury), Taneika Uerata (Canterbury), Josh Edmonds (Canterbury), Jonty Gallagher (Canterbury), Chris Paul (South Canterbury), Josh Rooney (South Canterbury), Stef James (Tasman), Will Todd (Canterbury), Ben Mclaughlan (Canterbury), Karl Hancox (Canterbury)

Highlanders Region: James Doleman (Otago), Fraser Hannon (Otago), Cassie Watt (Southland), Georgia Mason (Southland), Erin Doherty (Otago), Caleb Neilson (Otago), Logan Whitty (Otago), Josh Hamill (Southland), Michael Buttery (Otago), Jackson Brylie (Otago), Jarrod Fox (North Otago)

With thanks to New Zealand Rugby

It takes a different slant this time. I concentrate solely on the eighteen referees designated to cover the three levels of the WXV (full list below).

First, congratulations to all of them. The referees’ assessment board goes to inordinate lengths to analyse their performances and grade them accordingly. No surprise then that the names Sara Cox and Aimee Barrett-Theron figure among the six to officiate Tier One games. Both have reffed more internationals than any other women on earth.

My problem is the first language of all eighteen. Among the top six it’s English, with all its distinctive variations; in Tier Two it’s English (4), France and Italian (1 each), though both Groizeleau and Munarini have an excellent command of English.

In Tier Three we find less familar names and less dependence on English. Four of the six do not have English as their native tongue, though we can expect all of them to give their explanations in competent English.

My concern is that the primacy given to English on field is grotesquely unfair.

Players work desperately hard to reach International standard, but those whose first language is not English are placed at an immediate disadvantage. Is that fair? No!

The French have long been forced into accepting that they must suffer in this way. Referee after referee will chat away to them in a version of English, almost always finishing with the one truly global word, ‘Okay?’ I long to see or hear a player shake her head vigorously to indicate she hasn’t understood a word said to her. Where do we go from there?

Of course, players must be expected to know every law of the game, but that doesn’t begin to cover all the points a ref may want to make.

The problem goes back to the time when the world authority (it may have been the old IRB or its replacement, WR) decreed that refs should give a running commentary, to help the game run more smoothly. This at once led to the barriers I’ve just outlined. Hand signals are now required from all referees; fine, but they cover only a limited part of the onfield activity.

It’s not for me to pass judgement on the three lists below, but it’s significant that only English-speakers are honoured with the top-tier games. Despite that, one of the six nations involved does not have English as an official language, France of course.

I find it hard to believe that Groizeleau and Munarini are not just as good as, if not better than a couple of referees in WXV1. They are certainly more experienced.

We can only hope that none of the eighteen competing nations finish the tournament feeling they have been hard done by. English may be the current universal language, but in the heat of a rugby battle, that is not a guarantee of equality.

The List:

WXV 1
Aimee Barrett-Theron (RSA)
Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZ)
Sara Cox (RFU)
Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Lauren Jenner (NZR)
Amber McLachlan (RA)

WXV 2
Natarsha Ganley (NZR)
Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
Clara Munarini (FIR)
Kat Roche (USA)
Precious Pazani (Zim)
Holly Wood (RFU)

WXV 3
Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
Ella Goldsmith (RA)
Ano Kuwai (JRU)
Maria Latos (DRB)
Amelia Luciano (USA)
Adele Robert (FBRB)

Suffolk-based official Emily Heaslip will lead a team including assistant referees Georgia Ball and Chloe-Ann Small, with Abigail Byrne as fourth official and Sophie Dennington as reserve assistant referee.

The match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium connected by EE will also see a VAR in place for the first time in the Final, with Michael Salisbury supported by assistant Sian Massey-Ellis. Goal Line Technology will also be in use at Wembley.

The full match official line-up is as follows:

Referee: Emily Heaslip (Suffolk FA)
Assistant Referees: Georgia Ball (Derbyshire FA) and Chloe-Ann Small (Hampshire FA)
Fourth official: Abigail Byrne (Cambridgeshire FA)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Sophie Dennington (Berks & Bucks FA)
VAR: Michael Salisbury (Lancashire FA)
AVAR: Sian Massey-Ellis (Birmingham FA)

Heaslip, who referees in the Barclays Women’s Super League, said: “I’m honoured to be appointed as the referee for the Vitality FA Women’s Cup Final.

“It’s a dream of every player to walk out at Wembley Stadium, and that’s the same for every match official. We’ll be determined to repay the trust put in us by The FA and the PGMOL to officiate at this stage of one of the biggest club competitions in football.”

Select Group Women’s Professional Game director Bibi SteinhausWebb added: “The FA Cup is a special competition and I’d like to offer my congratulations to those who have been appointed to officiate the Final.

“As part of the continued development of our officials, we have been preparing for the introduction of technology in this season’s Vitality FA Women’s Cup Final for a sustained period of time.

“Anything that can aid our match officials in their decision making has to be welcomed, especially given how the game continues to evolve and produce more complex situations which need to be judged on a match-by-match basis.”

The Final will be screened live on BBC One in the UK and will kick-off at 2.30pm BST

With thanks to the FA

World Rugby has today confirmed that Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) and Joy Neville (Ireland) will take charge of the Rugby World Cup 2021 semi-finals at Eden Park this weekend.

It will be the first time either Barrett-Theron or Neville takes charge of a Rugby World Cup semi-final.

Barrett-Theron will referee the first semi-final between Canada and England at 16:30 local time (GMT+13) on Saturday, 5 November. It will be the second time the South African referees this fixture, having overseen England’s 49-12 victory over Canada in November 2017.

RWC 2017 final referee Neville will then officiate the second semi-final of the day when New Zealand face France, in what will be their fourth meeting in a Rugby World Cup semi-final having met at this stage in 2002, 2006 and 2010. Neville has taken charge of this fixture on two previous occasions, both of them victories for France in 2018 and 2019.

SEE FULL LIST OF APPOINTMENTS

The two teams emerging victorious will meet in the RWC 2021 final at Eden Park on Saturday, 12 November at 19:30 local time, with the bronze final to take place earlier that day at 16:30.

Tickets are still available from just NZ$5 for kids and NZ$10 for adults* at tickets2021.rugbyworldcup.com.

*Prices applicable to cash purchases made through Ticketek agents or outlets. Online purchases may attract additional payment processing and delivery fees.

Specifically, she didn’t show Wales a yellow card till the 65th minute, despite giving a flurry of penalties against them as they defended by all means at their disposal.

A penalty kick completed by Keira Bevan was the last and decisive action of the match.

I had been impressed by Munarini’s control of matches ever since she debuted at Six Nations level in the Wales-England match in 2019.

She hasn’t had her troubles to seek. In February 2020 she was in charge of the Scotland-England game that had to be called off at Scotstoun because of Storm Ciara. Transferred the very next day (a Monday!) to Murrayfield, the match was played out in a heavy snowstorm. England were offered hot-water bottles mid-match. Was Munarini’s whistle?

More important, Munarini is one of precisely two World Cup referees not to have English as their first language (Aurélie Groizeleau of France is the other). It is hard for most rugby people imagining what it must be like to control a game as complex as rugby without resorting to their native tongue. Both of them achieve this outstandingly well.

Until last weekend.

I have laboured the point before about the injustice of English being the only language used on the international rugby field. That goes in particular for the referees. Rising to the top of the refereeing tree is hard enough, but needing to have a master’s degree in English as well strikes me as an absurd and unjustified requirement.

The person directly in control of refereeing matters in New Zealand, Alhambra Nievas of Spain, is another who reached the pinnacle of her trade using a second language. To her falls the verdict on Munarini’s progress beyond the pool stages.

If Nievas and her committee are of the same opinion as wide swathes of the media, then we have to fear that this weekend’s appointment, the Fiji v South Africa game, will be the last where Munarini carries the whistle.

Any complaints from the Scottish side of the argument have to concede that the game was there for the taking. They were largely at fault in failing to do so.

Now let’s imagine the final being decided in the 81st minute.

Lead photos show: (L-R) Rugby World Cup 2021 referees Lauren Jenner (NZL), Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZL), Joy Neville (IRE), Sara Cox (ENG), Aimee Barrett-Theron (RSA), Hollie Davidson (SCO), Aurelie Groizeleau (FRA), Amber McLachlan (AUS) and Clara Munarini (ITA) at Nesuto Stadium Hotel on 2 October, 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand.

NZR President Max Spence said the event celebrated over one hundred years of New Zealand refereeing and acknowledged those who have been involved at the highest level of the game.

“New Zealand has a rich and proud international refereeing history dating back to 1899. Today was a special opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our Test referees and honour their huge contribution to our game.

“Test match rugby is one of the pinnacles for our sport and an immense amount of dedication and sacrifice goes into refereeing at this level. It is always fantastic to see our referees on the international stage and this is another proud day for the refereeing community.”

A total of 86 New Zealand Referees have been appointed to international rugby, from William Garrard in 1899 to the most recent debut by Larissa Woolerton last month.

The capping event was attended by 42 current and former Test referees, with representatives of 12 deceased referees also in attendance to collect the cap on behalf of their loved one.

NZR CEO Mark Robinson said the capping project was a significant recognition of past and present New Zealand Referees.

“On behalf of the rugby community I’d like to recognise our Test referees for their achievements and the vital role they play in our game. There’s a huge sense of pride that comes with receiving your cap and this event acknowledges our referees in the same way as our Test players. New Zealand Referees continue to be incredibly well regarded internationally and we look forward to welcoming more to the Test rugby family in the future.”

New Zealand’s Test Referees include 79 men and 7 women, with Paul Honiss the most capped having been appointed to 46 Test matches.

NZR Head of Training and Education and former Test referee Bryce Lawrence has been a key driver of the project. Lawrence said the event was particularly important for the amateur Test referees.

“About 70 of our 86 referees were involved through the amateur era of rugby and they’ve given up 20 to 30 years of their lives to refereeing simply because they loved the game. The life I’ve had in rugby has treated me well and as more recent referees we’ve been doing this professionally. For me this day is special because I get to see how much it means to those people.”

Each of the referees received a traditional rugby cap from NZR President Max Spence embroidered with the silver fern, New Zealand Referee number and first Test details.

NZR is continuing a search for the remaining next of kin of Test referees so they can receive a Test cap in their loved one’s honour. More information can be found at www.nzrugby.co.nz

With thanks to New Zealand Rugby

Davidson will have Sara Cox (England) and Aurélie Groizeleau (France) as her assistant referees and Claire Hodnett (England) as the Television Match Official (TMO).

It will be the first time an all-female team have taken charge of a men’s test match and the first time a female referee has officiated a men’s Six Nations team in a test match.

Davidson has already refereed a men’s test, Malta’s 37-10 defeat of Cyprus in the Rugby Europe Conference 1 South in March 2019, following in the footsteps of Alhambra Nievas and Joy Neville in Europe.

The Scot, who was last week named on the match official panel for Rugby World Cup 2021, has also been appointed as referee for the Canada v Belgium test in Halifax on 2 July when USA official Kat Roche will be her assistant referee.

Davidson will then act as assistant referee for the first leg of the Americas 2 play-off for Rugby World Cup 2023 between Chile and USA in Santiago on 9 July.

View the full appointments here >>

With Rugby World Cup 2021 fast approaching, the July window will also see Joy Neville act as TMO for the first test between South Africa and Wales in Pretoria on 2 July and the second Australia v England test in Brisbane on 9 July.

World Rugby Chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont, said: “Congratulations to Hollie, Sara, Aurélie and Claire on this historic appointment. Today’s announcement signifies the strength and depth that has been developed in female match officials globally and demonstrates the many pathways available to women and girls wanting to get involved in this great game.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Hollie and her team, one that will also provide excellent preparation for Rugby World Cup 2021, and we wish them all the best of luck.”

Davidson said: “To be the first woman to referee a men’s Six Nations team is a tremendous honour and an achievement I am proud of.

“I have been happy with my progress in the last couple of years and working as a full-time professional referee with Scottish Rugby has really helped that.

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news as I didn’t think something like this would have happened so quickly in my career but I’m really proud and looking forward to the summer.

“In the last year I have been fortunate to have refereed high-profile fixtures in both the men’s and women’s game which will act as great preparation going into the summer for these two matches.”

With thanks to World Rugby

They are: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Sara Cox (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Aurélie Groizeleau (France), Lauren Jenner (New Zealand), Clara Munarini (Italy), Amber McLachlan (Australia) and Joy Neville (Ireland).

This represents the fulfilment of a target set by World Rugby and its referees division, led by Alhambra Nievas, to increase the number of women controlling test matches.
Inevitably the Europe-based referees have a headstart in experience: Joy Neville took the final of the 2017 final, and Sara Cox will be appearing at her fourth consecutive World Cup, no less. That is a remarkable achievement.

The next aim must be for the three Australasian referees (Maggie Cogger-Orr, Lauren Jenner and Amber McLachlan) to officiate at as many summer tests as possible. Practice makes perfect.

The supporting officials will be:

Assistant referees: Doriane Domenjo (France), Tyler Miller (Australia), Nikki O’Donnell (England), Kat Roche (USA), Julianne Zussman (Canada)

TMOs : Chris Assmus (Canada), Lee Jeffrey (New Zealand), Ian Tempest (England), Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

It’s just a pity that only one of the four TMOs, Lee Jeffrey, follows the overall pattern. Perhaps in 2025…

Here are selected details of the officials covering the last two rounds of the Six Nations:

Round 4

Wales v France
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)

Italy v Scotland
Referee: Lauren Jenner (NZR)

England v Ireland
Referee: Amber McLachlan (RA) TMO: Lee Jeffrey (NZR)

Round 5

Wales v Italy
Referee: Amber McLachlan (RA)

France v England
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (NZR)

Ireland v Scotland
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)

Yes, all the matches bar one will be reffed by leading southern hemisphere representatives. It is by no means the first time that officials from Rugby Australia and NZR have been invited over, but this is the first time they have been brought over en bloc as it were.

It is a deliberate initiative by Alhambra Nievas, WR Referee Talent Development Manager, to ensure that they gain much needed experience of blowing top matches.

There are far fewer opportunities for them in the normal routine, far fewer test matches being played in the southern hemisphere, but with the onset of Covid-19 their chances reduced even further.

World Rugby will need as many experienced women referees as possible for the World Cup next October, so Nievas is following the pattern of the men’s tournaments and shipping them over for the biggest European championship.

WR will announce the officials for the RWC in mid-May. They hope to include four TMOs. Up to now the vast majority of TMOs in the 6N have been male; Claire Hodnett (RFU), the former referee, is a notable exception. No doubt WR would like to fill the four vacancies with women if it possibly can.

Lee Jeffrey too is highly experienced as a TMO. She started her new career as referee then TMO in 1999 after being forced out of playing through injury.

Of the three Antipodean referees invited, only Amber McLachlan has previous experience of the 6N; she covered the England-Wales game of 2019. Then she was chosen to run the final RWC qualifier in Dubai last autumn.

To me it is highly significant that one match remains in local hands, the biggest of the lot, France v England. It is a tribute to Hollie Davidson’s standing that she is asked to cover it.