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Rose LaBrèche of Canada, Leah Berard of USA, and Federico Anselmi of Argentina have been named to World Rugby’s Sevens Series referee panel for the 2015/16 season. A total of 21 referees have been named to the two series panels, with South Africa’s Rasta Rasivhenge the only name to appear on both.
Ontario native LaBrèche appeared on the women’s circuit last season, and made her debut appearance in a full test match during this year’s Super Series, taking charge of New Zealand vs USA in Edmonton. Most recently she was spotted in the middle of the Ontario Blues vs ARP Selects game played in Ottawa this past Saturday.
Berard hails from Wisconsin and has been on the women’s panel since its inaugural season in 2012. Earlier that year she officiated the Australia vs England women’s cup final at the Hong Kong 7s, and in 2013 was given the honour of refereeing the final of the Women’s World Cup 7s in Russia.
Anselmi, from Mendoza, has been a regular on the men’s circuit since 2009, and has since advanced his claims in the XVs version of the game. His first test appointment was in 2012, with five tests total now under his belt as well as the Canada vs New Zealand Maori match in November of 2013. Recently he has been seen as an assistant in both the Six Nations and Super Rugby, and in April was named as an assistant referee for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Other notable inclusions are 2011 World Cup final referee Craig Joubert, who returns to the series after a long hiatus, and 2014 Women’s World Cup final arbiter Amy Perrett. Representing Tier 2 nations are Taku Otsuki of Japan, James Bolabiu of Fiji, Gabriel Lee of Hong Kong, and Alhambra Nievas of Spain.
The 2015/16 sevens series kicks off in Dubai on December 4. Las Vegas and Vancouver will host stops on the men’s circuit. The women’s itinerary has not yet been announced.
MEN’S SERIES PANEL
Mike Adamson (SRU), Federico Anselmi (UAR), Nick Briant (NZRU), Ben Crouse (SARU), Craig Joubert (SARU), Richard Kelly (NZRU), Anthony Moyes (ARU), Matt O’Brien (ARU), Taku Otsuki (JRFU), Rasta Rasivhenge (SARU), Alex Ruiz (FFR), Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
WOMEN’S SERIES PANEL
Jess Beard (NZRU), Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR), Leah Berard (USAR), James Bolabiu (FRU), Sara Cox (RFU), Rose LaBrèche (RC), Gabriel Lee (HKRFU), Alhambra Nievas (FER), Amy Perrett (ARU), Rasta Rasivhenge (SARU)
