Emirates Announces Match Officials for Rugby World Cup 2025 Quarter-Finals

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Women’s rugby world Cup: Quarterfinal Officials Announced

Exeter, UK – World Rugby has announced teh officiating crews for the highly anticipated Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 quarterfinals, set to take place on September 13th and 14th.The appointments highlight the growing depth of talent in women’s officiating, with the four most experienced female match officials in test history taking center stage.

Sara Cox (England) will lead the first quarterfinal between defending champions New Zealand and a historic South African side marking their debut in the knockout stage, at Exeter’s Sandy Park on Saturday at 13:00 local time (GMT+1). Cox recently achieved a landmark, becoming the first woman to referee 50 tests during the recent clash between Japan and Spain and will equal the record of 11 Women’s Rugby World Cup matches in the middle held by New Zealand’s Nicky Inwood.

Saturday’s second quarterfinal,at Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium at 16:00,will be overseen by Hollie Davidson (Scotland),bringing 43 test matches of experience to the match between Canada and Australia.

Sunday’s matches will see Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) in charge of the all-European encounter between france and Ireland at Sandy Park in Exeter at 13:00, marking her 48th test in the middle. Ian Tempest (England) will reach a milestone of his own during this match as he clocks his 50th test as Television Match Official.

Rounding out the quarterfinal officiating team, aurélie Groizeleau (France) will referee her first Women’s Rugby World Cup knockout match when she takes charge of the match between hosts england and Scotland at ashton Gate in Bristol at 16:00, her 43rd test overall.

Su Carty, Chair of the World Rugby Emirates Match Officials Selection Committee, praised the entire group, stating, “I am full of admiration for the way our match officials have performed throughout this remarkable Women’s Rugby World Cup, both in their professionalism and the positive example they set.” She also emphasized their impact, stating, “They have played their full role in what will be remembered as a joyous and highly competitive pool phase.I would like to congratulate Sara, Hollie, Aimee and Aurélie, along with the assistant referees and TMOs, on their well-deserved appointments.”

Alhambra Nievas, World Rugby Women’s High Performance Referee Manager, added, “Congratulations to those who have been appointed. the selection process was extremely challenging given the consistently high level of performance across the team. Our match officials have worked tirelessly to achieve consistency and clarity in their decision-making, creating the best possible platform for the players to showcase their talent.” Nievas highlighted the collaborative spirit, adding, “There is a strong culture and sense of unity within this group, as well as a close working relationship with the coaches and players.while the referees receive the recognition, this is truly a team effort.”

Full details and profiles of the appointed officials and team are available at the World Rugby Media Zone.

What role does the Television Match Official (TMO) play in a Rugby World Cup match?

Emirates,the official airline partner of the Rugby World Cup 2025,has today unveiled the match officials selected to oversee the highly anticipated Quarter-Final clashes. These appointments, crucial for ensuring fair play and accurate decision-making, feature a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars in the world of rugby officiating. This article details the full list of referees, assistant referees, and Television Match Officials (TMOs) assigned to each Quarter-Final match.

Quarter-Final 1: [Team A] vs. [Team B] – September 12th

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (france) – A highly respected figure in the rugby community, Raynal has officiated numerous high-profile matches, including previous Rugby World Cup games and Six Nations Championships. Known for his firm but fair approach to officiating.

assistant Referee 1: Wayne Barnes (England) – Arguably one of the most experienced referees of all time, Barnes transitions to an assistant role for this crucial match. His expertise will be invaluable.

Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Brace (Ireland) – Brace is a rising star in the officiating world, consistently demonstrating a strong understanding of the laws of the game.

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales) – Whitehouse brings a wealth of experience to the TMO role, having officiated at the highest levels of the game.

Quarter-Final 2: [Team C] vs. [team D] – september 13th

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) – Amashukeli represents a new generation of international referees and is quickly gaining recognition for his consistent and accurate officiating.

Assistant Referee 1: karl Dickson (England) – Dickson is a dynamic and respected assistant referee, known for his clear dialog and attention to detail.

Assistant Referee 2: Jaco peyper (South Africa) – Peyper, a veteran of numerous Rugby World Cups, provides notable experience to the officiating team.

TMO: Tom Foley (England) – Foley is a seasoned TMO, known for his meticulous review process and ability to identify crucial moments in the game.

Quarter-Final 3: [Team E] vs. [Team F] – September 14th

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia) – Gardner is renowned for his calm demeanor and consistent application of the laws. He’s a popular choice amongst players and fans alike.

assistant Referee 1: Matthew O’Brien (Australia) – O’Brien’s understanding of the Australian game and his sharp eye for detail make him a valuable asset.

Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (England) – Ridley is a highly experienced assistant referee, known for his accurate flag signaling and proactive communication.

TMO: Marius Jonkers (South Africa) – Jonkers is a highly respected TMO, known for his thoroughness and ability to make quick, accurate decisions.

Quarter-Final 4: [Team G] vs. [Team H] – September 15th

Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France) – Gaüzère is a seasoned referee with a reputation for managing high-pressure situations effectively.

Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (New Zealand) – Doleman brings a fresh outlook and a keen understanding of the modern game.

Assistant Referee 2: Federico Anselmi (Argentina) – Anselmi represents South American rugby and is a rising star in the officiating ranks.

TMO: Luke Pearce (England) – Pearce is a highly capable TMO, known for his clear communication and ability to work effectively with the referee.

The Importance of Independent match Officials

World Rugby emphasizes the importance of independent match officials to maintain the integrity of the game. these officials undergo rigorous training and evaluation processes to ensure they are equipped to handle the demands of international rugby. The selection process considers factors such as performance, experience, and fitness. The role of the referee extends beyond simply applying the laws; it also involves game management, player welfare, and ensuring a fair contest for both teams.

Understanding the Roles: Referee, AR, and TMO

For fans new to the intricacies of rugby officiating, understanding the roles of each official is key:

Referee: The primary decision-maker on the field, responsible for enforcing the laws of the game, managing the game flow, and ensuring player safety.

Assistant referees (ARs): Assist the referee in making decisions, particularly regarding touch (out of bounds), offside, and knock-ons.They also communicate with the referee via flag signals and radio communication.

Television Match Official (TMO): Reviews potential scoring plays, foul play, and other incidents that require further scrutiny.The TMO provides the referee with additional information to aid in decision-making.

Recent Developments in Rugby Officiating Technology

The use of technology in rugby officiating continues to evolve. Recent advancements include:

Hawk-Eye: Used to accurately determine