Major League Rugby will welcome another prominent international referee to its ranks on Saturday. Argentina’s Federico Anselmi will make his first appearance in the middle of the American competition when he takes charge of Utah’s home game against Houston.
Anselmi’s 12-year tenure as his country’s most senior match official came to a surprise ending in March. Since debuting on the World Sevens Series in 2009 the 38-year-old has been in charge of numerous tests and Super Rugby matches. He refereed at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens and 2014 World Rugby u20 Championship, and was an assistant at Rugby World Cup 2015.
In recent weeks ‘Boli’, as he is known, has been involved with the South American equivalent of MLR – the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR). He follows JP Doyle to the USA, who debuted last week and on Saturday will be in the middle for ATL’s home game against NOLA.
MLR WEEK 6 APPOINTMENTS
SATURDAY, APRIL 24
ATL vs NOLA
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistants: Henrique Platais (Brazil) & Cisco Lopez (USA)
LA vs SAN DIEGO
Referee: Scott Green (USA)
Assistants: Marquise Goodwin (USA) & Andrew Stockton (USA)
UTAH vs HOUSTON
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Kahlil Harrison (USA) & Niku Kruger (USA)
SUNDAY, APRIL 25
NEW YORK vs TORONTO
Referee: Derek Summers (USA)
Assistants: Miles McIvor (USA) & tbd (USA)
DC vs NEW ENGLAND
Referee: Lex Weiner (USA)
Assistants: Mike O’Brien (USA) & Gavin McCandless (USA)
AUSTIN vs SEATTLE
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Butch Neuenschwander (USA)