The International Rugby Board have announced a list of eight referees and match officials for the forthcoming Rugby Championship which replaces the TriNations.
Appointments were made by the IRB Match Official Selection Committee following a detailed review of performances during the recent June tours and Tests.
The eight referees for the Rugby Championship are Alain Rolland (Ireland), Steve Walsh (Australia), Nigel Owens (Wales), Romain Poite (France), Wayne Barnes (England), George Clancy (Ireland), Joubert and Peyper.
The referees will also undertake assistant referee duties alongside a group of up-and-coming referees who have earned their place owing to their performances in recent Tests and at the IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa.
IRB Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien said: “The goal across all aspects of international officiating is consistency and a highlight for us has been the partnership with our Unions in focusing on bringing through the next crop of referees who will be in contention for a place at Rugby World Cup 2015. ”
“This was very evident at the recent IRB Junior World Championship where the guys showed a good account of themselves.”
SANZAR Chief Executive Greg Peters said: “It is great to see the top match officials in the world appointed for the first edition of The Rugby Championship this year. ”
“This is testament to the hard work that the IRB Match Official Selection Committee has undertaken in identifying the top performers from the northern and southern hemispheres. The scene is well and truly set for the new preeminent southern hemisphere rugby tournament.”
The new selection system allows for movement in and out of the panel based on form and rewards the top performers and young referees who have graduated through the performance pathway ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.
Australia v New Zealand
Date: 18 August
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick Off Time: 10:05 SA Time (20:05 Sydney Time)
Referee: A Rolland (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: N Owens (WRU), L van der Merwe (SARU)
TMO: M Goddard (ARU)
South Africa v Argentina
Date: 18 August
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick Off Time: 17:00 SA Time
Referee: S Walsh (ARU)
Assistant Referees: J Garces (FFR), J Lacey (IRFU)
TMO: J Meuwsen (SARU)
New Zealand v Australia
Date: 25 August
Venue: 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time)
Kick Off Time: Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: N Owens (WRU)
Assistant Referees: A Rolland (IRFU), L van der Merwe (SARU)
TMO: B Skeen (NZRU)
Argentina v South Africa
Date: 25 August
Venue: Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza
Kick Off Time: 16:10 ARG Time
Referee: S Walsh (ARU)
Assistant Referees: J Garces (FFR), J Lacey (IRFU)
TMO: UAR appointment
Australia v South Africa
Date: 8 September
Venue: Patersons Stadium, Perth
Kick Off Time: 10:35 SA Time (20:35 Perth Time)
Referee: N Owens (WRU)
Assistant Referees: W Barnes (RFU), G Jackson (NZRU)
TMO: M Goddard (ARU)
New Zealand v Argentina
Date: 8 September
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick Off Time: 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time)
Referee: R Poite (FFR)
Assistant Referees: G Clancy (IRFU), J Leckie (ARU)
TMO: V Munro (NZRU)
Australia v Argentina
Date: 15 September
Venue: Skilled Park, Gold Coast
Kick Off Time: 10:05 SA Time (20:05 Gold Coast Time)
Referee: W Barnes (RFU)
Assistant Referees: N Owens (WRU), G Jackson (NZRU)
TMO: M Goddard (ARU)
New Zealand v South Africa
Date: 15 September
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick Off Time: 09:35 SA Time (19:35 NZ Time)
Referee: G Clancy (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: R Poite (FFR), J Leckie (ARU)
TMO: V Munro (NZRU)
South Africa v Australia
Date: 29 September
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick Off Time: 17:00 SA Time
Referee: A Rolland (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: R Poite (FFR), G Garner (RFU)
TMO: S Veldsman (SARU)
Argentina v New Zealand
Date: 29 September
Venue: Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, La Plata
Kick Off Time: 20:10 ARG Time
Referee: J Peyper (SARU)
Assistant Referees: C Joubert (SARU), P Gauzere (FFR)
TMO: UAR appointment
Argentina v Australia
Date: 6 October
Venue: Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario
Kick Off Time: 20:10 ARG Time
Referee: C Joubert (SARU)
Assistant Referees: J Peyper (SARU), P Gauzere (FFR)
TMO: UAR appointment
South Africa v New Zealand
Date: 6 October
Venue: FNB Stadium, Soweto
Kick Off Time: 17:00 SA Time
Referee: A Rolland (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: R Poite (FFR), G Garner (RFU)
TMO: S Veldsman (SARU)
Australia v New Zealand
Date: 20 October
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick Off Time: 10:00 SA Time (20:00 Brisbane Time)
Referee: C Joubert (SARU)
Assistant Referees: J Peyper (SARU), L Van Der Merwe (SARU)
TMO: M Goddard (ARU)