Get Newsletter

Aussie ref pulls out of SA v Ireland series

NEWS: Australian official Angus Gardner has withdrawn from refereeing duties during the South Africa versus Ireland series for ‘personal reasons’.

ADVERTISEMENT

He will be replaced by England’s Luke Pearce as match day referee for the first Test at Loftus Versfeld on July 6 and as assistant referee for the second Test at Kings Park the following weekend.

A World Rugby statement on the matter reads: “World Rugby has confirmed that Angus Gardner [Australia] has withdrawn from officiating duties for the two-test series between South Africa and Ireland for personal reasons.

“The Australian will be replaced by Luke Pearce [England] as referee for the first test and also as assistant referee for the second test.

“As a consequence of the change, there are also further amendments to the appointments, including Christophe Ridley [England], replacing Pearce as assistant referee for Japan versus Georgia on July 13.”

Gardner began officiating in Super Rugby in 2012.

He made his Test debut in 2011, officiating a match between Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

ADVERTISEMENT

Gardner has since refereed numerous international matches, including fixtures in the Rugby Championship and Six Nations.

He was named World Rugby Referee of the Year in 2018 and has officiated at three World Cups – 2015, 2019 and 2023.

Match official for SA v Ireland

Saturday, July 6
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Mike Adamson (Scotland)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

ADVERTISEMENT

Saturday, July 13
Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

@RugbyPass

In this episode of Walk the Talk, Jim Hamilton chats with double World Cup winner Damian de Allende about all things Springbok rugby, including RWC2023 and the upcoming Ireland series. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV

Join free

Wolfhounds vs Gwalia | Celtic Challenge 2024/25 | Match Highlights

Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

O2 Inside Line: This Rose | Episode 2 | Ireland Week

New Zealand vs Australia: Behind the Scenes with the Black Ferns Sevens Team | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E06

O2 Inside Line: This Rose | Episode 1

Argentina v Australia | HSBC SVNS Perth 2025 | Men's Final Match Highlights

The Dupont Ploy: How France went from underdogs to Olympic gods | The Report

Former rugby player is truly an NFL superstar | Walk the Talk | Jordan Mailata

Boks Office | Episode 33 | Dupont's Toulouse Too Good

Write A Comment