Referees confirmed for World Cup semi-finals
Referees Angus Gardner and Ben O'Keeffe 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 England's Karl Dickson as his assistants, and Wales' Ben Whitehouse as the television match official.
New Zealand's O'Keeffe will take charge of the second semi-final the following day in Paris a week after officiating South Africa's quarter-final victory over hosts France. He will be joined by Ireland's Andrew Brace and New Zealand's Paul Williams as his assistants, while fellow Kiwi Brendon Pickerill will be the TMO.
It will be the second time that O'Keeffe 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: “I would like to congratulate Angus and Ben, the assistant referees and TMOs on their selection for the semi-finals.
“The 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.”
World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Officials Manager Joël Jutge added: “Congratulations 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.
“I 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.”
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Ah yes, the opinion of Andy Goode… Andy Goode, the man who knows what some of the Irish players said to Eben Etzebeth after the QF, better than what Eben himself knows. And, judging by this piece, the Grandmaster of clichés.
Go to comments162 comments so far and counting. i didn't realize that rugby fans are on the way to join the football brothers. what is the point to share personal opinion only to get all this shi*? it seems IRB bosses are doing the great job by killing the spirit of the game both on and outside the pitch. too sad, indeed. btw, was there anything on eben’s point of view from the boys in green, who he mentioned?
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