World Rugby Match Officials announced for The Rugby Championship 2022

World Rugby Match Officials announced for The Rugby Championship 2022

World Rugby has announced the match officials that will take charge of the 2022 Rugby Championship, which runs from 6 August to 24 September.


Following a busy schedule of men’s test matches across June and July, 12 referees will take charge of the matches within a team of 26 match officials, including assistant referees and television match officials.

Highlights include:

  • 26 officials from 10 unions involved in the 12 matches
  • Mike Adamson (Scotland), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) and James Doleman (New Zealand) to make Championship debuts
  • Adamson will become the first Scottish official to referee in the tournament since Jim Fleming in the 1999 Tri-Nations
  • Mathieu Raynal (France) will referee in The Rugby Championship for first time since 2018

'The selection reflects the selectors' ambition of giving all referees exposure to the biggest competitions in 2022 as preparation for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.' World Rugby's statement read.

World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee Chairman Graham Mourie said: “We have a group of very committed match officials who, like players, continually work on their game through a robust, team-driven 360 degree review process. As we move closer to France 2023, we are growing as a team and the focus continues to be on consistent officiating of the clear and obvious with a particular emphasis on safety, speed and space.”


The Rugby Championship 2022

South Africa v New Zealand
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Saturday, 6 August, 2022
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Argentina v Australia
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Saturday, 6 August, 2022
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (IRFU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
South Africa v New Zealand
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, 13 August, 2022
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Argentina v Australia
Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan
Saturday, 13 August, 2022
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (IRFU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
New Zealand v Argentina
Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
Saturday, 27 August, 2022
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referee 1: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
Australia v South Africa
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Saturday, 27 August, 2022
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: Tual Trainini (FFR)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
New Zealand v Argentina
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Saturday, 3 September, 2022
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
Australia v South Africa
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Saturday, 3 September, 2022
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: Tual Trainini (FFR)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)
Australia v New Zealand
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Thursday, 15 September, 2022
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Argentina v South Africa
José Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires
Saturday, 17 September, 2022
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Damon Murphy (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)
New Zealand v Australia
Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday, 24 September, 2022
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
South Africa v Argentina
Hollywoodbets, Kings Park, Durban
Saturday, 24 September, 2022
Referee: Damon Murphy (RA)
Assistant Referee 1: Frank Murphy (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Chris Hart (NZR)

Latest News