Garcès, Barnes to ref semis
They are Jérôme Garcès of France and Wayne Barnes of England. They are both from countries not involved in the semifinals. But both of them refereed quarterfinals – Garcès Ireland vs Argentina and Barnes Wales vs South Africa. The other completely unattached referee from the quarter finals was Nigel Owens of Wales, who may well be in line for the final, that announcement to be made later.
Garcès will referee the semifinal involving New Zealand and South Africa, Barnes the other between Argentina and Australia.
The appointments
New Zealand vs South Africa at Twickenham
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Johnny Lacey (Ireland)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
Argentina vs Australia at Twickenham
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), George Clancy (Ireland)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)