Referees confirmed for World Cup semi-finals
Referees Angus Gardner and Ben OāKeeffe are set to referee the World Cup semi-finals this weekend as the All Blacks face Argentina and the reigning champions South Africa play England.
The Australian Gardner will be taking charge of his first World Cup knockout match on Friday at the Stade de France between the All Blacks and Los Pumas and will be joined by compatriot Nic Berry and Englandās Karl Dickson as his assistants, and Walesā Ben Whitehouse as the television match official.
New Zealandās OāKeeffe will take charge of the second semi-final the following day in Paris a week after officiating South Africaās quarter-final victory over hosts France. He will be joined by Irelandās Andrew Brace and New Zealandās Paul Williams as his assistants, while fellow Kiwi Brendon Pickerill will be the TMO.
It will be the second time that OāKeeffe has officiated a match between the Springboks and England but the fifth time Gardner has taken charge of a fixture between the All Blacks and Argentina, most famously being the man with the whistle when the Pumas won in 2020.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: āI would like to congratulate Angus and Ben, the assistant referees and TMOs on their selection for the semi-finals.
āThe match official group as a whole have played a full and positive role in an exceptional Rugby World Cup, including a compelling set of quarter-finals.ā
World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Officials Manager JoĆ«l Jutge added: āCongratulations to all selected. This is a team effort, and the selection reflects the hard work of the group as a whole, and the encouragement and support they give each other.
āI would also like to pay tribute to Jaco Peyper, who has been ruled out through injury. He would have been in contention. We wish him a speedy recovery.ā