Canadian Match Official Appointments This Summer for Internationals and Olympics: Talal Chaudhry, Robin Kaluzniak, Chris Assmus, Shanda Assmus, Julianne Zussman
There were a number of Canadian match official appointments made this summer by World Rugby. Talal Chaudhry was selected for Rugby 7s at the Olympics, he’ll be working in the women’s tournament. Robin Kaluzniak will be Assistant Referee in two test matches this summer, USA vs Romania and USA vs Scotland. Chris Assmus will be the TMO at the USA vs Scotland match.
Earlier this summer Julianne Zussman was Referee for the USA vs NZ Pacific Four match and Shanda Assmus was Assistant Referee for the Canada vs USA Pacific Four match.
There’s a list of all match official appointments for the June/July internationals posted below.
from World Rugby – Olympic Match Officials
World Rugby has announced the squad of 23 match officials that will take charge of the men’s and women’s rugby sevens competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in France from 24-30 July.
The squad features match officials from 16 countries – including the first referee from Germany to appear in an Olympic rugby sevens competition in Maria Latos – with all six of World Rugby’s regional associations represented.
Five officials will attend their second Olympic Games in Paulo Duarte (Portugal), Francisco González (Uruguay), Tyler Miller (Australia), Tevita Rokovereni (Fiji) and Jordan Way (Australia), while Jérémy Rozier (France, pictured with Ano Kuwai) was selected for Tokyo but had to withdraw a month before the tournament due to an ACL injury. Duarte refereed in both the men’s and women’s competitions in Tokyo while Rokovereni officiated in the women’s event, but both have been selected for the men’s tournament in Paris.
While Rozier is the only French official selected to referee at a home Olympic Games, Paris 2024 will mark a return to France for Way, who was an assistant referee for the men’s Rugby World Cup 2023, including for one match at Stade de France.
USA referee Kat Roche has been selected as one of the match officials for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Ano Kuwai (Japan), meanwhile, will create history as the first to both play and referee at a Games, having been part of the Sakura Sevens team at Rio 2016 when rugby sevens made its Olympic debut some 92 years after rugby (15s) had last been on the programme. Kuwai was the scorer of Japan’s first-ever Olympic try in their 26-10 pool defeat to hosts Brazil.
Kuwai is one of six females selected on the women’s panel, all of whom have refereed international rugby, including Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand) and Kat Roche (USA) who took charge of matches in this year’s Women’s Six Nations and Miller, who made her test debut in the World Rugby Pacific Four Series last month.
The officials were selected following a comprehensive review of performances across the HSBC SVNS 2024 series.
The full match official squad for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 is:
Men’s tournament:
Ben Breakspear (Wales, Great Britain)
Paulo Duarte (Portugal)
Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Francisco González (Uruguay)
Nick Hogan (New Zealand)
AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
Reuben Keane (Australia)
Adam Leal (England, Great Britain)
Tevita Rokovereni (Fiji)
Jérémy Rozier (France)
Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
Jordan Way (Australia)
Women’s tournament:
Finlay Brown (Scotland, Great Britain)
Craig Chan (Hong Kong China)
Talal Chaudhry (Canada)
Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand)
Ano Kuwai (Japan)
Maria Latos (Germany)
Cisco Lopez (USA)
Tyler Miller (Australia)
Lavenia Rawaca (Fiji)
Kat Roche (USA)
George Selwood (England, Great Britain)
World Rugby High Performance Sevens Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien said: “I am very excited to be managing a hugely experienced and talented group of match officials to Paris 2024.
“To have so many countries represented as well as knowing every region is involved gives our management team a huge amount of satisfaction and is testament to the pathways we have had in place over the past four years.
“All those selected have worked extremely hard to ensure that when we arrive in Paris, we will have officials able to referee and officiate to the level required for such a special event.”
Ano Kuwai said: “It was special to be in the Olympic Games as a player and now I cannot wait to go Paris as a referee.”
Jérémy Rozier said: “It is very special for me to be involved in an Olympic Games, it’s a dream for players and referees. I’m especially pleased as I had to miss Tokyo due to an ACL injury after being selected, so coming back from this disappointment, training hard to be fit and take this chance to be in Paris. It will be an amazing tournament for me at home in Paris where I live, with all my family there.
“I’m very happy to be selected as part of the 23 strong Olympic match official squad. We come from every continent of the world and have been building for the last three years since Tokyo to be prepared for the Olympics and be as excellent as we can be on the field to allow the players to play as they want and let the game flow.”
The men’s competition will take place from 24-27 July, kicking off the Olympic Games Paris 2024 along with football two days before the Opening Ceremony, with the women’s competition following from 28-30 July. All the action will take place at Stade de France, the venue for the men’s Rugby World Cup 2023 final last October.
from World Rugby – June-July internationals (men’s)
| Japan v England Japan National Stadium, Tokyo Saturday, 22 June, 2024 |
Referee: Luc Ramos (FFR) Assistant Referee 1: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (NZR) TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR) |
| Fiji v Barbarians Twickenham Stadium, London Saturday, 22 June, 2024 |
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR) Assistant Referee 1: Craig Evans (WRU) Assistant Referee 2: Federico Vedovelli (FIR) TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU) |
| South Africa v Wales Twickenham Stadium, London Saturday, 22 June, 2024 |
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU) Assistant Referee 1: Christophe Ridley (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Adam Leal (RFU) TMO: Mark Patton (IRFU) |
| Japan XV v Maori All Blacks Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground, Tokyo Saturday, 29 June, 2024 |
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) Assistant Referee 1: Luc Ramos (FFR) Assistant Referee 2: Damian Schneider (UAR) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU) |
| Samoa v Italy Apia Park, Apia Friday, 5 July, 2024 |
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR) Assistant Referee 1: Dan Waenga (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Tevita Rokovereni (FRU) TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR) |
| Georgia v Fiji Adjarabet Arena, Batumi Friday, 5 July, 2024 |
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU) Assistant Referee 1: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU) TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU) |
| USA v Romania SeatGeek Stadium, Chicago, IL Friday, 5 July, 2024 |
Referee: Angus Mabey (NZR) Assistant Referee 1: Marcus Playle (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Robin Kaluzniak (RC) TMO: TBC |
| Australia v Wales Allianz Stadium, Sydney Saturday, 6 July, 2024 |
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR) Assistant Referee 1: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: James Doleman (NZR) TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU) |
| New Zealand v England Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Saturday, 6 July, 2024 |
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU) Assistant Referee 1: Nic Berry (RA) Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA) TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR) |
| South Africa v Ireland Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Saturday, 6 July, 2024 |
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA) Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Mike Adamson (SRU) TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) |
| Argentina v France Malvinas Argentinas Stadium, Mendoza Saturday, 6 July, 2024 |
Referee: Chris Busby (IRFU) Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant Referee 2: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU) |
| Japan XV v Maori All Blacks Toyota Stadium, Aichi Saturday, 6 July, 2024 |
Referee: Damian Schneider (UAR) Assistant Referee 1: Andrea Piardi (FIR) Assistant Referee 2: Luc Ramos (FFR) TMO: Oli Kellett (RA) |
| Canada v Scotland TD Place Stadium, Ottawa Saturday, 6 July, 2024 |
Referee: Adam Leal (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Kat Roche (USA) Assistant Referee 2: Kahlil Harrison (USAR) TMO: Austin Reed (USAR) |
| Chile v Hong Kong China TBC, Chile Saturday, 6 July, 2024 |
Referee: Gonzalo de Achaval (URU) Assistant Referee 1: Francisco Gonzalez (URU) Assistant Referee 2: Sergio Alvarenga (Paraguay) |
| Uruguay v France Estadio Charrua, Montevideo Wednesday, 10 July, 2024 |
Referee: Angus Mabey (NZR) Assistant Referee 1: Gonzalo de Achaval (URU) Assistant Referee 2: Tomás Bertazza (UAR) |
| USA v Scotland Audi Field, Washington DC Friday, 12 July, 2024 |
Referee: Jordan Way (RA) Assistant Referee 1: Adam Leal (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Robin Kaluzniak (RC) TMO: Chris Assmus (RC) |
| Tonga v Italy Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa Friday, 12 July, 2024 |
Referee: Damian Schneider (UAR) Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: George Myers (RA) |
| Canada v Romania TD Place Stadium, Ottawa Friday, 12 July, 2024 |
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU) Assistant Referee 1: Kat Roche (USAR) Assistant Referee 2: Luke Rogan (USAR) |
| Australia v Wales AAMI Park, Melbourne Saturday, 13 July, 2024 |
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU) Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Paul Williams (NZR) TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR) |
| New Zealand v England Eden Park, Auckland Saturday, 13 July, 2024 |
Referee: Nic Berry (RA) Assistant Referee 1: Damon Murphy (RA) Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR) TMO: Brett Cronan (RA) |
| South Africa v Ireland Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban Saturday, 13 July, 2024 |
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Angus Gardner (RA) Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU) TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU) |
| Argentina v France Estadio José Amalfitani, Vélez, Buenos Aires Saturday, 13 July, 2024 |
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant Referee 1: Chris Busby (IRFU) Assistant Referee 2: Eoghan Cross (IRFU) TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU) |
| Japan v Georgia Yurtec Stadium, Sendai Saturday, 13 July, 2024 |
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR) Assistant Referee 1: Luke Pearce (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU) TMO: James Leckie (RA) |
| Samoa v Spain Apia Park, Apia Saturday, 13 July, 2024 |
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) Assistant Referee 1: Jordan Kaminski (RA) Assistant Referee 2: Tevita Rokovereni (FRU) TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR) |
| Paraguay v Hong Kong China Estadio Héroes de Curupayty, Luque Saturday, 13 July, 2024 |
Referee: Francisco Gonzalez (URU) Assistant Referee 1: Simón Larrubia (UAR) Assistant Referee 2: Frank Méndez (Chile) |
| Chile v Belgium Venue TBC, Chile Saturday, 13 July, 2024 |
Referee: Tómas Bertazza (UAR) Assistant Referee 1: Mauro Rossi (UAR) Assistant Referee 2: Federico Solari (UAR) |
| Namibia v Portugal Windhoek Saturday, 13 July, 2024 |
Referee: Adriaan Jacobs (SARU) Assistant Referee 1: Griffin Colby (SARU) Assistant Referee 2: Precious Pazani (ZRU) |
| Tonga v Spain Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa Friday, 19 July, 2024 |
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR) Assistant Referee 1: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Kaminski (RA) |
| New Zealand v Fiji Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA Friday, 19 July, 2024 |
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU) Assistant Referee 2: Luke Rogan (USAR) TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU) |
| Australia v Georgia Allianz Stadium, Sydney Saturday, 20 July, 2024 |
Referee: James Doleman (NZR) Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Angus Mabey (NZR) TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR) |
| South Africa v Portugal Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein Saturday, 20 July, 2024 |
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU) Assistant Referee 1: Craig Evans (WRU) Assistant Referee 2: Mike Adamson (SRU) TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU) |
| Uruguay v Argentina Estadio Domingo Burgueno Miguel, Maldonado Saturday, 20 July, 2024 |
Referee: Luc Ramos (FFR) Assistant Referee 1: Chris Busby (IRFU) Assistant Referee 2: Frank Méndez (Chile) TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU) |
| Brazil v Hong Kong China Venue TBC, Brazil Saturday, 20 July, 2024 |
Referee: Pablo Deluca (UAR) Assistant Referee 1: Simon Larrubia (UAR) Assistant Referee 2: Federico Solari (UAR) |
| Paraguay v Belgium Estadio Héroes de Curupayty, Luque Saturday, 20 July, 2024 |
Referee: Mauro Rossi (UAR) Assistant Referee 1: Juan Sebastián Maio (UAR) Assistant Referee 2: Juan Martínez (UAR) |
| Chile v Scotland Estadio Nacional, Santiago Saturday, 20 July, 2024 |
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant Referee 2: Gonzalo De Achaval (UAR) TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU) |
| Japan v Italy Sapporo Dome, Sapporo Sunday, 21 July, 2024 |
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU) Assistant Referee 1: Nic Berry (RA) Assistant Referee 2: Luke Pearce (RFU) TMO: Brett Cronan (RA) |
| Uruguay v Scotland Estadio Charrua, Montevideo Saturday, 27 July, 2024 |
Referee: Damian Schneider (UAR) Assistant Referee 1: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) Assistant Referee 2: Luc Ramos (FFR) TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU) |
| Brazil v Belgium Venue TBC, Brazil Saturday, 27 July, 2024 |
Referee: Tómas Bertazza (UAR) Assistant Referee 1: Juan López (UAR) Assistant Referee 2: Sergio Alvarenga (Paraguay) |
World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2024
| USA v Canada Dignity Health Sports Park, Los Angeles Sunday, 28 April, 2024 |
Referee: Tyler Miller (RA) Assistant Referee 1: Amelia Luciano (USAR) Assistant Referee 2: Shanda Assmus (RC) TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU) FPRO: Leo Colgan (IRFU) |
| New Zealand v USA FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Saturday, 11 May, 2024 |
Referee: Julianne Zussman (RC) Assistant Referee 1: Tyler Miller (RA) Assistant Referee 2: Ella Goldsmith (RA). TMO: Rachel Horton (RA) FPRO: Oli Kellett (RA) |
| Australia v Canada Allianz Stadium, Sydney Saturday, 11 May, 2024 |
Referee: Natarsha Ganley (NZR) Assistant Referee 1: Tiana Anderson (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Chloe Sampson (NZR) TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR) FPRO: Aaron Paterson (NZR) |
| Australia v USA AAMI Park, Melbourne Friday, 17 May, 2024 |
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR) Assistant Referee 1: Natarsha Ganley (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Chloe Sampson (NZR) TMO: Aaron Paterson (NZR) |
| New Zealand v Canada Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Sunday, 19 May, 2024 |
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR) Assistant Referee 1: Ella Goldsmith (RA) Assistant Referee 2: Jess Ling (RA) TMO: Rachel Horton (RA) |
| New Zealand v Australia North Harbour Stadium, Albany Saturday, 25 May, 2024 |
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) Assistant Referee 1: Natarsha Ganley (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Tyler Miller (RA) TMO: Chris Assmus (RC) |