STATEMENT: Referee's confirmed for Rugby World Cup semi-finals

Tuesday, 17 October 2023 at 11:33

byRugby Rucker

World Rugby has announced the Emirates Match Officials for the Rugby World Cup 2023 semi-finals at Stade de France this weekend.

Angus Gardner (Australia) will referee Argentina v New Zealand in Saint-Denis on Friday, 20 October (21:00 CET). He will be joined by assistant referees Nic Berry (Australia) and Karl Dickson (England) with Ben Whitehouse (Wales) as Television Match Official.

Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) will take charge of England v South Africa in Saint-Denis on Saturday, 21 October (21:00 CET). He will be joined by assistant referees Andrew Brace (Ireland) and Paul Williams (New Zealand) and TMO Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand).

It will be a first Rugby World Cup semi-final for both Angus Gardner and Ben O’Keeffe.
Gardner will referee Argentina v New Zealand for the fifth time in what is his first Rugby World Cup knockout match as a referee.
The Australian official was in the middle for Argentina's historic 25-15 victory in November 2020.
He also refereed their most recent meeting, won 41-12 by New Zealand in July, in the Rugby Championship.
It will be Gardner’s fourth match in the middle at RWC 2023 and a fifth of the tournament for O'Keeffe.
The New Zealand official will referee England v South Africa for the second time, having been in the middle for South Africa’s 42-39 victory in June 2018.
It will be a first men’s Rugby World Cup semi-final for all assistant referees and TMOs.
However, Ben Whitehouse was TMO for the women’s RWC 2021 semi-final between England and Canada last November.

The selection is based on merit and the wider team will remain in contention for the Rugby World Cup 2023 bronze final and final.

World Rugby can confirm that Jaco Peyper (South Africa) wasn't considered, owing to a calf injury sustained during the Wales v Argentina quarter-final in Marseille.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “I would like to congratulate Angus and Ben, the assistant referees and TMOs on their selection for the semi-finals.

“The match official group as a whole have played a full and positive role in an exceptional Rugby World Cup, including a compelling set of quarter-finals.”

World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Officials Manager Joël Jutge added: “Congratulations to all selected. This is a team effort, and the selection reflects the hard work of the group as a whole, and the encouragement and support they give each other.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Jaco Peyper, who has been ruled out through injury. He would have been in contention. We wish him a speedy recovery.”

Five players who underperformed in the World Cup quarter-finals

We take a look at five players who failed to perform in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

#1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)

Irish Independent 5/10: "Pinged twice in the opening minutes, once at the breakdown and once in the scrum. Indeed, he drew the whistle from Wayne Barnes in two of the game's first three scrums. Running dialogue with the ref but seemed frustrated throughout."

Planet Rugby 3/10: "His illegalities at the scrum finally caught up with him as Wayne Barnes continually penalised Porter for not driving straight. However, it was his needless infringement in the opening minute which set the tone."

RUCK 5/10: "Penalised in an early scrum, as his hips were too wide in the pack. A big hit on Will Jordan on the 20th phase, as Ireland defended strong. Couldn’t support Doris in time for his carry, as the number eight was isolated, and Porter couldn’t stop Savea’s turnover. Penalised twice more in the scrum for the same offence, in a performance he would want to forget in the pack. "

#2. Ryan Elias (Wales)

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Elias wasn’t entirely accurate with his lineout throws and didn’t stand out in open play."

Matthew Southcombe

@MattSouth7

·Follow

Ryan Elias hooked at half time after three wayward lineouts. Biggest 40 minutes of Dewi Lake's career coming up.

4:06 PM · Oct 14, 2023

#3. Marcus Smith (England)

Telegraph 5/10: "Lord he was in the wars. Whether having Semi Radradra bouncing him in the tackle, Josua Tuisova ragdolling him, or going for an HIA, Smith showed huge heart. Jury out whether he will stay at full back for the semi-final."

The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

@GoodBadRugby

·Follow

A baptism of fire for Marcus Smith at full-back! 💥 England’s flair man cops a shot from Fiji wing Vinaya Habosi but will play on after passing his HIA. Yellow card only for Habosi 🟨 #RWC2023 #ENGvFIJ

3:49 PM · Oct 15, 2023

Read 9 replies

Rugby Pass 6.5/10: "Picked for just his second start in the full-back position, he worked well with some early ball but got caught on a run from inside his own half with England 8-0 up and that turnover resulted in a missed Fijian shot at the posts. Soon took a smack to the head from the yellow-carded Vinaya Habosi on a carry in the lead-up to the Marchant try. Returned to resume playing a very capable part in the win despite the need for further on-pitch running repairs."

Planet Rugby 6/10: "As Steve Borthwick predicted, Fiji didn’t test his aerial skills, but Smith didn’t really cut loose. Conceded one penalty when trying to counter, but he did mop up well at times and that extra pair of eyes helped Owen Farrell."

Evening Standard 6/10: "Rode out one extremely risky break and dealt with a broken nose to add just enough poise to England’s back-field set-up."

Mail Online 5/10: "Battered and bruised in the contact area, with blood pouring down his face. Tackling in the backfield very different to front-line defending as he found out the hard way."

#4. James Lowe (Ireland)

Rugby Pass 3.5: "Lowe had one of his worst performances in an Irish jersey. Lowe dropped the ball behind him and over the sideline with his first touch, and this practically summed up the wing’s off night at Stade de France. Lowe wasn’t just off, he was ineffective in practically all facets of the game."

Sunday World 5/10: "Was never a game where he could bring his trusty left boot into play, Lowe kept on looking for work but this was a game where his considerable attacking talents ultimately had little bearing on the outcome."

#5. Josh Adams (Wales)

RUCK 5.5/10: "Strong opening tackle to set his tempo in defence. Spilled the pass from North, which could have led to a try. Good presence on Argentina’s back three under the high ball, beut ended his half with an unnecessary shot on Cubelli. Lucky to avoid a yellow. Continued to jump in front of high ball catchers, and repeatedly lucky to be let off."

Rugby Pass 4/10: "Had a quiet first half, one lowlight being a bungled pass with the Argentinian line beckoning, another being a braindead push on Matteo Carreras, which was lucky only to be a yellow. A day to forget for the Cardiff winger."

Wales Online 5/10: "Gave away a needless penalty on the stroke of half-time to gift Argentina points, and, even more crucially, momentum. Chased hard but the ball rarely came his way. A bad day at the office."