IRB International Referees Panel
Encyclopedia
The International Rugby Board (IRB) International Referees Panel is a group of elite rugby union referees appointed by the IRB to officiate in international matches, usually those involving the top tier rugby nations from around the world.
The panel was established to ensure that matches between the best international teams are handled by the best referees. Neutral referees have been the current trend from the IRB's busy appointments schedule. For the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa they were tempted to try the system seeing as the majority of the referees come from Ireland, England, Wales and South Africa.
The referees on this panel have developed through the game of 7's and Super 14, French, English, Irish and Welsh national leagues respectively.
These referees are supposedly the best in the world. They are employed by their home unions and the IRB. They are expected to ensure that their fitness is kept up to the minimum IRB fitness standards.
The IRB referees manager is currently Paddy O'Brien.
O'Brien is a former referee who refereed semi-finals at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and also was the touch judge in the final.
, four from Ireland
, three from England
, two from Australia
, two from France
, and New Zealand
and Wales
having one respectively.
The major surprise is Scotland being an original founding union and it does not have a referee on the panel. However on the development panel it does have Peter Allan.
The current panel are in alphabetical order, not ranking wise.
The most experienced referees are Stuart Dickinson and Jonathan Kaplan both having refereed at three (Dickinson) and two (Kaplan) World Cups respectively.
Alain Rolland refereed the 2007 Rugby World Cup
Final which was held in France.
- Steve Hilditch
- Tappe Henning
- Michael Lamoullie
- Bob Francis
- Scott Young
- Andrew Cole
- Patrick Robin
- Paul Bridgman
- Brian Stirling
- Tony Spreadbury
- Ed Morrisson
In the 2nd British and Irish Lions test match he was acting as an assistant referee. 30 seconds into the match Schalk Burger eye gouged Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald. Lawrence saw the incident and duly recommended a yellow card to referee Christophe Berdos. Burger received an 8 week ban for the incident. Players alike came out and said that if Lawrence cannot establish a correct sanction for an eye gouge then he is not fit to officiate. Lawrence continues to referee after a very average year. These two incidents have had players question his mental ability as a referee.
Bryce Lawrence refereed the England v France 2010 6 Nations match, where critics claimed he wasn't up to standard. Questions have been raised over why Lawrence continues to referee top games.
. The Italian management were saying what a poor job he did not giving the Italian team a penalty try. While the All Blacks coaching staff despite the win, heavily criticized saying that Italy were the fault and were using illegal tactics. Paddy O'Brien the IRB referees manager set the precedent and flew to New Zealand team hotel which had never been done before and apologised to NZ management saying Dickinson got it completely wrong.
This led to outrage by the Australian Rugby Union, who issued a formal complaint to the IRB against Paddy O'Brien. O'Brien ended up apologising to Stuart Dickinson and the Australian Rugby Union.
“I have unreservedly apologised to Stuart Dickinson for the action of publicly discussing elements of his performance review and would like to extend that apology to the Australian Rugby Union," said O'Brien.
“A clear and confidential best practice protocol exists for match official appraisal and feedback involving all stakeholders and I regret breaching this protocol.
“The IRB has in place a dedicated High Performance structure for the development of international referees and works hard with its Member Unions to identify up and coming talent and promote consistency at all levels of the Game.
“Team management are also offered the opportunity to meet with the referee prior to a match or arrange a meeting with a performance reviewer or myself – this is normal practice.
“Again I would like to apologise to Stuart and the ARU for the public nature of the comments that I made."
Dickinson in the 2010 6 Nations tournament has not received an appointment for the first time since 2000. The ARU have sought a meeting with Paddy O'Brien to discuss these latest turn of events after O'Brien chose not to publicly appraise referees after they have a bad game. It is understood the meeting has been kept under closed doors.
The integration of more stringent game management procedures and referee coaching practices are now considered of greater importance within international rugby unions.
Mark Lawrence was a notable exception. It was judged that Marius Jonker was the better referee at the time. Mark Lawrence has in recent times been selected to referee more high profile international games and is rated by many as one of the leading international referees.
The 2007 Rugby World Cup Referees
Mark Lawrence and Alan Lewis were both overlooked for this tournament, Lawrence unlucky to be overlooked for successive tournaments.
The 2011 Rugby World Cup Referees
The 2011 Rugby World Cup Assistant Referees
The 2011 Rugby World Cup TMO Panel
The panel was established to ensure that matches between the best international teams are handled by the best referees. Neutral referees have been the current trend from the IRB's busy appointments schedule. For the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa they were tempted to try the system seeing as the majority of the referees come from Ireland, England, Wales and South Africa.
The referees on this panel have developed through the game of 7's and Super 14, French, English, Irish and Welsh national leagues respectively.
These referees are supposedly the best in the world. They are employed by their home unions and the IRB. They are expected to ensure that their fitness is kept up to the minimum IRB fitness standards.
The IRB referees manager is currently Paddy O'Brien.
Paddy O'Brien (rugby referee)
Paddy O'Brien ONZM is a New Zealand international rugby union referee, and currently head of the International Rugby Board's Referee Board...
O'Brien is a former referee who refereed semi-finals at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and also was the touch judge in the final.
Current members
The current members of the elite panel are referees highly regarded by the IRB and their referee selectors. Four of the referees come from South AfricaRugby union in South Africa
Rugby union is a popular team sport played in South Africa. Along with cricket and football it is one of the most popular ball sports in South Africa...
, four from Ireland
Rugby union in Ireland
Rugby union is a popular team sport played in Ireland. The sport is organised on an all-Ireland basis with one team, governing body and league for both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland...
, three from England
Rugby union in England
Rugby union is one of the leading professional and recreational team sports in England. A popular myth is that Rugby was created in England in 1823, when William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it during a football match at Rugby School. In 1871 the RFU was formed by 21 clubs and the...
, two from Australia
Rugby union in Australia
Rugby union is the third most popular winter sport in Australia, with its history dating back to 1864.The principal competition in Australian rugby union is Super Rugby, which is a multi-regional competition across the southern hemisphere...
, two from France
Rugby union in France
Rugby union is the second most popular team sport in France, after association football, and is the dominant sport in most of the southern half of the country. It was first introduced in the early 1870s by British residents. Elite French clubs participate in the professional domestic club league,...
, and New Zealand
Rugby union in New Zealand
Rugby union is the unofficial national sport of New Zealand. Rugby, as it is generally referred to by New Zealanders, is an integral part of New Zealand culture. The national team, the All Blacks, rank as the top international team in the world. The sport was known in New Zealand from 1870, and the...
and Wales
Rugby union in Wales
Rugby union is the national sport of Wales and is considered a large part of national culture. Rugby is thought to have reached Wales in the 1850s, with the national body, the Welsh Rugby Union being formed in 1881...
having one respectively.
The major surprise is Scotland being an original founding union and it does not have a referee on the panel. However on the development panel it does have Peter Allan.
The current panel are in alphabetical order, not ranking wise.
- Wayne BarnesWayne BarnesWayne Barnes is an English international rugby union referee. He was educated at Whitecross School in Lydney, where he was head boy, Monmouth School and at the University of East Anglia. He became a professional referee in April 2005, giving up a career in law to do so...
(England) - Christophe BerdosChristophe BerdosChristophe Berdos is a full-time international rugby union referee with the French Rugby Federation and is one of the two French representatives on the IRB's International Referees Panel....
(France) - Keith Brown (New Zealand)
- George ClancyGeorge Clancy (rugby)George Clancy is an international rugby union referee. He is attached to Bruff RFC. He refereed the opening game of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand on 9 September 2011 between the hosts and Tonga.-Notes:...
(Ireland) - Stuart DickinsonStuart DickinsonStuart Dickinson is a former Australian rugby referee. He made his international refereeing debut in 1997 in a Rugby World Cup qualifier between Tahiti and Papua New Guinea....
(Australia) - Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland)
- Jerome Garces (France)
- Craig JoubertCraig JoubertCraig Paul Joubert is a South African professional rugby union referee. He has officiated at international level since 2003 with the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final being his most profile match.-Biography:...
(South Africa) - Marius JonkerMarius JonkerMarius Jonker is one of South Africa's top rugby union referees. He refereed at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, and regularly takes charge of Super 14 and Currie Cup matches.-Career:...
(South Africa) - Jonathan KaplanJonathan Kaplan (rugby)Jonathan Isaac Kaplan , is a full-time international rugby union referee and currently holds the record for the most international matches as referee.-Background:...
(South Africa) - Mark LawrenceMark Lawrence (rugby)Mark Lawrence is an international rugby union referee, from the Republic of South Africa. He refereed his first international test match, in 2000, and was chosen to officiate at both the 2003 Rugby World Cup and 2007 Rugby World Cup acting as a touch judge and a TMO in both competitions...
(South Africa) - Bryce LawrenceBryce LawrenceBryce Lawrence is a professional international rugby union referee from the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.Originally a school headmaster, Lawrence took up refereeing in 1994, following in footsteps of his father, Keith Lawrence, who had been an international rugby union referee from 1985 to 1991...
(New Zealand) - Nigel OwensNigel OwensNigel Owens is a Welsh international rugby union referee. He is an international and Heineken Cup referee and was the only Welsh referee at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France....
(Wales) - Dave Pearson (England)
- Romain PoiteRomain PoiteRomain Poite is a French rugby union international referee. He made his World Cup debut in 2007 during the match between Ireland and Namibia. He also officiated during three games in the 2009 Six Nations Championship. He refereed his first Six Nations match in 2010.-Notes and references:...
(France) - Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
- Alain RollandAlain RollandAlain Colm Pierre Rolland is an Irish rugby union referee and former player.During his playing days as a scrum-half, Rolland earned three caps for . He started the match on 27 October 1990 against , and gained further caps as a replacement against in 1994 and the USA in 1995. He won 40 provincial...
(Ireland) - Andrew Small (England)
- Steve Walsh (Australia)
The most experienced referees are Stuart Dickinson and Jonathan Kaplan both having refereed at three (Dickinson) and two (Kaplan) World Cups respectively.
Alain Rolland refereed the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
Final which was held in France.
Referee Selectors
Steve Hilditch of Ireland is the head of the selectors.- Steve Hilditch
- Tappe Henning
- Michael Lamoullie
- Bob Francis
Assessors
A lot of the referee assessors are former IRB referees. These assessors simply judge the referees performance, they do not select them. All reports are forwarded to the IRB selectors.- Scott Young
- Andrew Cole
- Patrick Robin
- Paul Bridgman
- Brian Stirling
- Tony Spreadbury
- Ed Morrisson
Controversy
During 2009 and other seasons the referees and the IRB alike have been criticized heavily for their under performing of referees in test matches and even their behaviour off the field.Steve Walsh
Steve Walsh had his contract torn up the NZRU for disciplinary reasons. He was furthermore taken off the IRB referees panel. Later on in the year Walsh announced he was to continue refereeing in Australia, where it is expected that he will take place in the 2010 Super 14 as a referee as an Australian. Walsh refereed the Tooheys New NSW First Grade Semi Final, and was narrowly beaten to the final by IRB member Stuart Dickinson, where Walsh was the reserve referee.Bryce Lawrence
Bryce Lawrence was selected to referee in the first British and Irish Lions test match against South Africa. He later admitted his flaws to Lions prop Phil Vickery where he stated he got the scrum calls wrong and was sorry for the impact it caused on the match.In the 2nd British and Irish Lions test match he was acting as an assistant referee. 30 seconds into the match Schalk Burger eye gouged Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald. Lawrence saw the incident and duly recommended a yellow card to referee Christophe Berdos. Burger received an 8 week ban for the incident. Players alike came out and said that if Lawrence cannot establish a correct sanction for an eye gouge then he is not fit to officiate. Lawrence continues to referee after a very average year. These two incidents have had players question his mental ability as a referee.
Bryce Lawrence refereed the England v France 2010 6 Nations match, where critics claimed he wasn't up to standard. Questions have been raised over why Lawrence continues to referee top games.
Stuart Dickinson and Paddy O'Brien
On November 14, Stuart Dickinson refereed the Verse match at the San Siro Stadium. The game had continuous scrum resets which ended in Dickinson yellow carding the All Blacks Neemia TialataNeemia Tialata
Neemia Stanley Tialata is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. As well as representing New Zealand, he also plays for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and for Wellington in the Air New Zealand Cup when available....
. The Italian management were saying what a poor job he did not giving the Italian team a penalty try. While the All Blacks coaching staff despite the win, heavily criticized saying that Italy were the fault and were using illegal tactics. Paddy O'Brien the IRB referees manager set the precedent and flew to New Zealand team hotel which had never been done before and apologised to NZ management saying Dickinson got it completely wrong.
This led to outrage by the Australian Rugby Union, who issued a formal complaint to the IRB against Paddy O'Brien. O'Brien ended up apologising to Stuart Dickinson and the Australian Rugby Union.
“I have unreservedly apologised to Stuart Dickinson for the action of publicly discussing elements of his performance review and would like to extend that apology to the Australian Rugby Union," said O'Brien.
“A clear and confidential best practice protocol exists for match official appraisal and feedback involving all stakeholders and I regret breaching this protocol.
“The IRB has in place a dedicated High Performance structure for the development of international referees and works hard with its Member Unions to identify up and coming talent and promote consistency at all levels of the Game.
“Team management are also offered the opportunity to meet with the referee prior to a match or arrange a meeting with a performance reviewer or myself – this is normal practice.
“Again I would like to apologise to Stuart and the ARU for the public nature of the comments that I made."
Dickinson in the 2010 6 Nations tournament has not received an appointment for the first time since 2000. The ARU have sought a meeting with Paddy O'Brien to discuss these latest turn of events after O'Brien chose not to publicly appraise referees after they have a bad game. It is understood the meeting has been kept under closed doors.
The integration of more stringent game management procedures and referee coaching practices are now considered of greater importance within international rugby unions.
Former Members of the Elite Panel
- Alan LewisAlan LewisDavid Alan Lewis is an Irish former cricketer and current Rugby Union referee. His father Ian also played cricket for Ireland...
(retired 2011) - Matt Goddard (retired 2009) retired because of ongoing injury problems
- Joel JutgeJoël JutgeJoël Jutge is a former French international rugby union referee. He made his international refereeing debut in a 2000 match between Italy and Romania in Naples. Jutge decided to be a referee in 1991 after his playing career was brought to an end by a knee ligament injury...
(retired 2009) retired because of ongoing injury problems - Tony SpreadburyTony SpreadburyAntony John "Tony" Spreadbury, commonly known as Spreaders , is a retired international rugby union referee....
(retired 2007) - Paul HonissPaul HonissPaul Gerard Honiss is a retired rugby union referee from Hamilton, New Zealand.Honiss held the record of the most test matches refereed when he retired as an international rugby union referee in July 2008. That record has since been surpassed by Jonathan Kaplan...
(retired 2008) - Nigel Whitehouse (retired 2007)
- Chris White
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 referees for the Rugby World Cup were based on merit. The IRB consisting of the selectors and Paddy O'Brien selected 12 referees to referee at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. They also picked a panel of assistant referees and TMO's. Many of the referees who have refereed at this world cup have now retired.Mark Lawrence was a notable exception. It was judged that Marius Jonker was the better referee at the time. Mark Lawrence has in recent times been selected to referee more high profile international games and is rated by many as one of the leading international referees.
The 2007 Rugby World Cup Referees
- Wayne BarnesWayne BarnesWayne Barnes is an English international rugby union referee. He was educated at Whitecross School in Lydney, where he was head boy, Monmouth School and at the University of East Anglia. He became a professional referee in April 2005, giving up a career in law to do so...
(England) - Joel JutgeJoël JutgeJoël Jutge is a former French international rugby union referee. He made his international refereeing debut in a 2000 match between Italy and Romania in Naples. Jutge decided to be a referee in 1991 after his playing career was brought to an end by a knee ligament injury...
(France) - Stuart DickinsonStuart DickinsonStuart Dickinson is a former Australian rugby referee. He made his international refereeing debut in 1997 in a Rugby World Cup qualifier between Tahiti and Papua New Guinea....
(Australia) - Marius JonkerMarius JonkerMarius Jonker is one of South Africa's top rugby union referees. He refereed at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, and regularly takes charge of Super 14 and Currie Cup matches.-Career:...
(South Africa) - Jonathan KaplanJonathan Kaplan (rugby)Jonathan Isaac Kaplan , is a full-time international rugby union referee and currently holds the record for the most international matches as referee.-Background:...
(South Africa) - Alan LewisAlan LewisDavid Alan Lewis is an Irish former cricketer and current Rugby Union referee. His father Ian also played cricket for Ireland...
(Ireland) - Nigel OwensNigel OwensNigel Owens is a Welsh international rugby union referee. He is an international and Heineken Cup referee and was the only Welsh referee at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France....
(Wales) - Alain RollandAlain RollandAlain Colm Pierre Rolland is an Irish rugby union referee and former player.During his playing days as a scrum-half, Rolland earned three caps for . He started the match on 27 October 1990 against , and gained further caps as a replacement against in 1994 and the USA in 1995. He won 40 provincial...
(Ireland) - Chris WhiteChris White (referee)Chris White is an English international rugby referee. He is one of England's top rugby referees and has refereed at three Rugby World Cups....
(England) - Tony SpreadburyTony SpreadburyAntony John "Tony" Spreadbury, commonly known as Spreaders , is a retired international rugby union referee....
(England) - Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
- Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
2011 Rugby World Cup
The 2011 referees for the Rugby World Cup were also based on merit, judged on the previous 4 years. The IRB consisting of the selectors and Paddy O'Brien selected 10 referees to referee at the 2011 Rugby World Cup: fewer than ever. This was to give match officials more game time during the tournament, and help the selectors to pick the best officials for the knockout stage.Mark Lawrence and Alan Lewis were both overlooked for this tournament, Lawrence unlucky to be overlooked for successive tournaments.
The 2011 Rugby World Cup Referees
- Wayne BarnesWayne BarnesWayne Barnes is an English international rugby union referee. He was educated at Whitecross School in Lydney, where he was head boy, Monmouth School and at the University of East Anglia. He became a professional referee in April 2005, giving up a career in law to do so...
(England) - Romain PoiteRomain PoiteRomain Poite is a French rugby union international referee. He made his World Cup debut in 2007 during the match between Ireland and Namibia. He also officiated during three games in the 2009 Six Nations Championship. He refereed his first Six Nations match in 2010.-Notes and references:...
(France) - Bryce LawrenceBryce LawrenceBryce Lawrence is a professional international rugby union referee from the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.Originally a school headmaster, Lawrence took up refereeing in 1994, following in footsteps of his father, Keith Lawrence, who had been an international rugby union referee from 1985 to 1991...
(New Zealand) - Craig JoubertCraig JoubertCraig Paul Joubert is a South African professional rugby union referee. He has officiated at international level since 2003 with the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final being his most profile match.-Biography:...
(South Africa) - Jonathan KaplanJonathan Kaplan (rugby)Jonathan Isaac Kaplan , is a full-time international rugby union referee and currently holds the record for the most international matches as referee.-Background:...
(South Africa) - George ClancyGeorge ClancyGeorge Clancy was an Irish nationalist politician and Mayor of Limerick. He was shot dead by the Auxiliary Police in 1921 during the Anglo-Irish conflict . The previous Mayor, Michael O'Callaghan, was murdered on the same night by the same group.Clancy was born at Grange, County Limerick...
(Ireland) - Nigel OwensNigel OwensNigel Owens is a Welsh international rugby union referee. He is an international and Heineken Cup referee and was the only Welsh referee at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France....
(Wales) - Alain RollandAlain RollandAlain Colm Pierre Rolland is an Irish rugby union referee and former player.During his playing days as a scrum-half, Rolland earned three caps for . He started the match on 27 October 1990 against , and gained further caps as a replacement against in 1994 and the USA in 1995. He won 40 provincial...
(Ireland) - Dave PearsonDave Pearson (rugby)Dave Pearson is an English rugby union referee. He is on the International Rugby Board's list of 17 international referees for the 2009/10 season. Pearson officiated the first test match between Argentina and Scotland in June 2010. David Pearson also refereed France V Ireland in the 2011 six...
(England) - Steve Walsh (Australia)
The 2011 Rugby World Cup Assistant Referees
- Chris Pollock (New Zealand) - reserve referee
- Jerome Garces (France) - reserve referee
- Simon McDowell (Ireland)
- Tim Hayes (Wales)
- Stuart Terheege (England)
- Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
- Carlo Damasco (Italy)
The 2011 Rugby World Cup TMO Panel
- Graham Hughes (England)
- Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
- Matt Goddard (Australia)
- Giulio De Santis (Italy)