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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.
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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.
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“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.”
Haven’t seen a conversion kick being charged down in years. I thought the attacker couldn’t start running until the kicker started his run for the kick.
I thought that was a poor referee decision France v STH Africa .
You’d have to say SA are heavy favourites. Them losing to England would be as unlikely as the South African cricket team losing to the Netherlands. 😂😂😂
Given the standard of some comments, a little moderating by Rugbypass is overdue.
Let’s hope Ben checks the South Africans’ sprigs before kick off.
The only fair way forward for rugby is nfl type refereeing it may make the game longer but at least the refs wont be deciding who wins
Nigel please dissapear. Your stupid comments are getting very tiring. Even if england play all 23 players at the same time with Barnes as referee they still will lost heavely.
Excellent news for players, spectators and the game itself. Let’s have fast games focussed on attack, correct rucking and a clamp down on time-wasting. Barnes obviously being targeted for the final now (should England not progress).
What rugby loving New Zealander doesn’t want to see the ABs and SA in the final?
Let’s be honest.
So, SA starting with 16 on the park again, no surprises there. How can one team get the same ref for 2 consecutive knockout games especially after the massive controversy surrounding his bias in the quarters? Oh, Garces was in charge of SA's semi and final games in 2019 and there was huge controversy there as well. And there are still some rugby dunces out there that think WR isn’t hell bent on favoring SA. Duh.
O Keefe just loves the Books!