Asian Match Officials Confirmed for Tokyo 2021 Sevens Rugby

World Rugby has confirmed the full list of Rugby Sevens match officials for the Tokyo Olympics. The officials include Noriaki Hashimoto from Japan and Matt Rodden from Hong Kong.

With 100 days to go until the Olympic Games are due to start in Japan, a number of media announcements this past week marked the centenary of days until the Games’ opening. The rugby sevens competition takes place from 26-31 July 2021 at Tokyo Stadium.

Match Officials – Tokyo 2021 Sevens Rugby

World Rugby High-Performance Sevens Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien said: “We have selected a match officials squad that includes a good mix of experience and youth, with selection based on merit following a thorough evaluation of performances and I thank all those involved in the process.”

In total, World Rugby has revealed a squad of 22 match officials from 12 countries, which includes five former players who are qualified match officials.

There are eight female referees – two are making their second appearances at the Olympic Games, but no female match officials from Asia.

Japan’s Nori Hashimoto will perform the role of Assistant Referee (AR) at the Games. Asia Rugby posted on their social media pages “Congrats to Matt Rodden (Hong Kong ) and Hashimoto Noriaki (Japan) from Asia to officiate at the Olympics for the first time”.

Image Credit: Asia Rugby

Women’s 7s Rugby Tournament Officials

• Sara Cox (England, Great Britain)* and ***
• Amy Perrett (Australia)*
• Hollie Davidson (Scotland, Great Britain)***
• Lauren Jenner (New Zealand)**
• Adam Jones (Wales, Great Britain)
• Paulo Duarte (Portugal)** and ****
• Tyler Miller (Australia)
• Madeleine Putz (Australia)**
• Tevita Rokovereni (Fiji)***
• Selica Winiata (New Zealand)
• Julianne Zussman (Canada)

Men’s 7s Rugby Tournament Officials

• James Doleman (New Zealand)
• Craig Evans (Wales, Great Britain)
• Francisco Gonzalez (Uruguay)** and ****
• Sam Grove-White (Scotland, Great Britain)***
• Noriaki Hashimoto (Japan)
• Richard Haughton (England)***
• Damon Murphy (Australia)***
• Nehuen Rivero (Argentina)** and ****
• Matt Rodden (Hong Kong)
• Damian Schneider (Argentina)** and ****
• Jordan Way (Australia)***

*participated at Olympic Games Rio 2016.
**participated at Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018.
***participated at Commonwealth Games Gold Coast 2018.
****participated at Pan American Games Lima 2019.

Photo Credit: (World Rugby) Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Monaco: Tokyo Olympics Rugby Sevens Repechage

In addition, World Rugby confirmed the officials for the final repechage tournament due to take place in Monaco from 19-20 June 2021.

The Hong Kong and Kazakhstan women and the Hong Kong and China men are involved.

• Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
• Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
• Sara Cox (England)
• Richard Haughton (England)
• Adam Jones (Wales)
• Craig Evans (Wales)
• Paulo Duarte (Portugal)

World Rugby previously committed to the numerous national sevens rugby team preparations with a US$4 million World Rugby investment.

Will the Tokyo Olympic Games go ahead?

No overseas fans will be allowed to attend Olympic events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A decision on whether people based in Japan could attend venues is due to be made.

There are still some rumours that the Olympic Games could not go ahead. Toshihiro Nikai of Japan’s ruling government party said this past week that cancelling the Tokyo Olympics “remains an option”. The country had the biggest increase in positive coronavirus cases in April 2021 since January reported the Japan Times.

The IOC said this week that the “Games will be a celebration of humanity, courage and resilience, which will help to reunite a scarred world”.

Global Rugby Events

• Asian Games 2022: Rugby Sevens.
• The RWC 2021 venues and dates confirmed.
• Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Cape Town.
• Sevens Rugby World Series 2021.