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History-making referee Joy Neville announces her retirement
By PA
Referee Joy Neville, the first woman to officiate at a men’s Rugby World Cup, has announced she will retire at the end of the season.
The 40-year-old was selected as a television match official for last year’s tournament in France.
She oversaw five pool stage matches, including England’s 34-12 victory over Japan in Nice.
Limerick-born Neville, a former Ireland captain, also refereed the Women’s Rugby World Cup final in 2017, when New Zealand defeated England 41-32 in Belfast.
She will take up a new role as referee development manager in Connacht, working to recruit and train referees.
“When I first took up the whistle after my playing career concluded, I could never have imagined the places the game would take me,” Neville said in a statement on the Irish Rugby Football Union’s website.
“To be involved in, firstly, the Women’s Rugby World Cup final was a huge honour and to then progress through to the Men’s Rugby World Cup made me incredibly proud and it’s only when I look back now that I can truly appreciate those achievements.”
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Which country do you think was instrumental in developing rugby in Argentina which then spun off into the rest of Latin South America? South Africa was touring Argentine in the 50's with their Junior Bok side on three months development tours. And they didn't do it to cultivare players for the Boks. Regarding Africa you are not taking into account that South Africa itself is an emerging nation. The rugby union has prioritised the development of rugby in South African rural communities with outstanding success.
It has taken 15 years to build the participation of rugby both in playing and watching. For South Africa on its own to build a viable international rugby competition in africa will take generations - not decades. New Zealanders seem to resent the fact that SA has doubled the income of the URC since their inclusion. If New Zealand Rugby hadn't insisted on have a disproportionate slice of the pie in Super Rugby, SA might not have fled the coop.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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