Match officials named for World Cup

[beige]

"Australia's Steve Walsh"...

The International Rugby Board has announced the match officials who will preside over the 48 matches at World Cup 2011 in September and October.

A streamlined Panel of ten referees will be supported by seven dedicated assistant referees and four television match officials at the event.

The selection was made after a comprehensive review of refereeing performances by the IRB Match Official Selection Committee, chaired by IRB Council Member David Pickering, at its meeting in Dublin on Tuesday and Wednesday.

While the appointments for the 40 Pool matches will not be announced until August, the IRB can confirm that Ireland's George Clancy, making his Rugby World Cup debut, will take charge of the opening match between hosts New Zealand and Tonga at Eden Park on September 9.

Appointments for the knock-out matches will be made following a performance review after the completion of the pool phase when 10 of the 21 match officials will be retained.

Clancy is joined in the Panel by countryman and Rugby World Cup 2007 Final Referee Alain Rolland, England's Dave Pearson and Wayne Barnes, France's Romain Poite, New Zealand's Bryce Lawrence, South Africa's Craig Joubert and Jonathan Kaplan, Nigel Owens of Wales and Australia's Steve Walsh

Read more: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...859512,00.html

[slomo]

matty goddard is in but stu dickinson isnt.....mmmmm

[Burgs]

[Burgs]

I think Aussie Steve would have got in on his man management skills, best in the SH for mine.

[BeeJay]

Craig Joubert ain't bad when it comes to talking to the players...