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SANZAAR have trimmed their number of referees from 17 to 15 for the 2019 Super Rugby season. The officials included include six from New Zealand; five from South Africa; three from Australia; and one from Argentina.
Included are newcomers AJ Jacobs (South Africa), and Damon Murphy (Australia). They join Egon Seconds (South Africa) with four prior matches as an official as the three least experienced officials.
Argentina’s representative is Federico Anselmi who has refereed 14 matches in prior Super Rugby seasons. Of note is his continued overlook by World Rugby for Tier 1 matches while New Zealand’s Paul Williams has officiated just five more Super Rugby matches. He refereed a mid-year international between Scotland vs Italy in 2017; Australia vs Ireland and England vs Japan in 2018; and he will referee England vs Scotland next month.
SANZAAR is to appoint the officials for all of the matches. The organization will call upon officials from outside of the 15 when required during the season. This could mean the inclusion of additional referees from the four countries as well as from Japan.
2019 SUPER RUGBY REFEREES
Federico Anselmi (Argentina – 14), Nic Berry (Australia – 21), Nick Briant (New Zealand – 50), Mike Fraser (New Zealand – 48), Angus Gardner (Australia – 62), AJ Jacobs (South Africa – 0), Glen Jackson (New Zealand – 77), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand – 36), Jaco Peyper (South Africa – 95), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand – 18), Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa – 15), Egon Seconds (South Africa – 4), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa – 35), Paul Williams (New Zealand – 19), Damon Murphy (Australia – 0)
*Numbers indicate prior Super Rugby matches.
