Trailblazing SA referee on brink of World Cup record
NEWS: South Africa’s Aimee Barrett-Theron will be one of the referees confirmed to officiate one of the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup this weekend.
Barrett-Theron will take charge of the first semifinal between defending champions New Zealand and Canada at Ashton Gate Stadium on Friday.
It will be the 49th test in the middle for Barrett-Theron and a record 12th Women’s World Cup match as referee, surpassing the 11 of Sara Cox (England) and Nicky Inwood (New Zealand).
She also refereed Canada in the semi-finals of the last tournament in New Zealand, a 26-19 loss to England at Eden Park, which denied the North Americans a second Women’s Rugby World Cup final appearance and first since 2014.
Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand) will referee the second semifinal, between France and hosts England, on Saturday.
It will be a first semifinal for the New Zealand official, her fourth match of the tournament, and her 28th test in the middle overall.
The wider team remains in contention for the remainder of the tournament.
Chair of the World Rugby Match Officials Committee, Su Carty, said: “Being chosen for a World Cup semifinal is a pinnacle moment for both players and match officials. It’s a remarkable achievement and a great honour.
“I wholeheartedly congratulate Aimee, Maggie, and the entire team. I am confident they will embrace this occasion, relish the experience, and represent our match officials with pride and distinction.”
World Rugby Women’s High Performance Referee Manager, Alhambra Nievas, added: “I would like to congratulate Aimee and Maggie and each team of match officials for their selection, which they have earned on merit. They have the whole team behind them.
“The semi-finals are also bittersweet for us as a team, as we say goodbye to a group of six incredible assistant referees as planned. They have been central to the work ethic, special spiri,t and culture of the team.
“They leave, but they are with us in our hearts, and I am sure they will grow from their RWC experience.”
