The referees for this weekend’s World Cup semifinals in Paris have been announced by World Rugby, with Australian Angus Gardner selected to officiate the All Blacks v Argentina match and Kiwi Ben O’Keeffe the England v South Africa game.
The All Blacks will likely be happy with the selection of Gardner, a referee they are used to playing alongside in Super Rugby. He will be joined by assistants Nic Berry (Australia) and Karl Dickson (England), with Ben Whitehouse of Wales the television match official.
O’Keeffe’s selection comes after he refereed the France quarter-final defeat to the Boks at the weekend. The New Zealander came under some criticism afterwards by France captain Antoine Dupont, who hinted he wasn’t up to the job.
O’Keeffe will be assisted by Ireland’s Andrew Brace and fellow Kiwi Paul Williams. Another New Zealander, Brendon Pickerill, is the TMO.
World Rugby said their selections were based on merit and the wider team would remain in contention for the World Cup bronze final and final. However, none of the Kiwi officials will be involved in either match the All Blacks are in.
In a minor surprise, Frenchman Matthieu Raynal, the man in charge of England’s quarter-final victory over Fiji, has not been selected for either match.
It remains to be seen if he is picked for the finals weekend but it appears unlikely. Raynal was widely criticised for his performance on social media, and particularly by those who shared an allegiance with the Flying Fijians.
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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