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Spreadbury the first to blow his World Cup whistle
Friday, April 27, 2007
English referee Tony Spreadbury will take charge of the Rugby World Cup's prestige opening game between France and Argentina in Paris on September 7, tournament organisers said.
The full list of 12 referees and 13 specialist touch judges was released on Thursday.
Seven nations are represented within the referees' panel with three men - Wayne Barnes (England), Nigel Owens (Wales) and Marius Jonker (South Africa) - making their rugby World Cup debut in France.
Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Paul Honiss (New Zealand), Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Steve Walsh (New Zealand) and Chris White (England) will be attending their third World Cup.
All 10 Tier One nations are represented within the selection of touch judges. From the quarter-finals onwards the referees will act as both referees and touch judges.
Referee panel:
Wayne Barnes (England), Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Paul Honiss (New Zealand), Marius Jonker (South Africa), Joel Jutge (France), Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Alan Lewis (Ireland), Nigel Owens (Wales), Alain Rolland (Ireland), Tony Spreadbury (England), Steve Walsh (New Zealand), Chris White (England).
Touch judges:
Christophe Berdos (France), Lyndon Bray (New Zealand), Malcolm Changleng (Scotland), Federico Cuesta (Argentina), Carlo Damasco (Italy), Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand), Craig Joubert (South Africa), Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Paul Marks (Australia), Simon McDowell (Ireland), Dave Pearson (England), Hugh Watkins
Reuters