Brace Appointed As Assistant Referee For World Cup Semi-Final

Ireland’s Andrew Brace has been appointed as an assistant referee for the Rugby World Cup semi final between England and South Africa.

World Rugby has announced the Emirates match officials for the World Cup semi-finals at the Stade de France this coming weekend.

Angus Gardner (Australia) will referee Argentina v New Zealand in Saint-Denis on Friday night. He will be joined by assistant referees Nic Berry (Australia) and Karl Dickson (England), with Ben Whitehouse (Wales) as the television match official.

Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) will take charge of England v South Africa in Saint-Denis on Saturday, with the same 9pm local time kick-off. He will be joined by assistant referees Brace and Paul Williams (New Zealand). Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand) is the TMO.

The selection is based on merit and the wider team will remain in contention for the last two Rugby World Cup matches, the bronze final and the tournament final.

World Rugby can confirm that South Africa’s Jaco Peyper was not considered, owing to a calf injury he sustained during the Wales v Argentina quarter-final in Marseille.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said; “I would like to congratulate Angus and Ben, the assistant referees and TMOs on their selection for the semi-finals.

“The match official group, as a whole, have played a full and positive role in an exceptional Rugby World Cup, including a compelling set of quarter-finals.”

World Rugby High Performance 15s Match Officials Manager Joël Jutge added: “Congratulations to all selected. This is a team effort, and the selection reflects the hard work of the group as a whole, and the encouragement and support they give each other.

“I would also like to pay tribute to Jaco Peyper, who has been ruled out through injury. He would have been in contention. We wish him a speedy recovery.”