WXV 2023 Match Officials Confirmed By World Rugby

World Rugby confirmed the WXV 2023 Emirates Match Official appointments for all three inaugural competitions due to be played in October and November 2023 in New Zealand, South Africa and Dubai.

In total, 18 Emirates Match Official appointments representing 12 nations will take charge of matches in WXV 1 (NZ), WXV 2 (South Africa) & WXV 3 (Dubai) but only the appointments for the first two rounds of each competition have been finalised as this stage. Appointments for the final round of matches will be made after round two.

There are two representatives from Asia, with Sunny Lee (HKCR) as an Assistant Referee, and former Japan 15s and sevens player Ano Kuwai (JRFU) as an Referee and AR in WXV 3 in Dubai.

World Rugby Women’s High Performance Referee Manager, Alhambra Nievas said: “WXV provides a new and great opportunity to see a wider group of match officials, with a mix of experience and new talent detected through domestic and regional competitions. The new global competition will play a big part in the journey to Rugby World Cup 2025.”

Eight of the nine referees from the Rugby World Cup 2021 will referee in WXV –  the only exception is Joy Neville who is currently a Television Match Official at Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

Who Are The 2023 WXV Match Officials?

WXV 1 – New Zealand

Six will referee in WXV 1 in Barrett-Theron, Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand), Cox, Hollie Davidson (Scotland), Jenner and Amber McLachlan (Australia).

Lauren Jenner (New Zealand) will take charge of the opening match in WXV 1 between England and Australia in Auckland, New Zealand on 20 October 2023.

Sara Cox (England) will temporarily regain the mantle of most-capped female test referee as she referees Canada v Wales in Wellington on 21 October in WXV 1, only for, Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) to draw level with her on 36 tests when she officiates the France v Australia match in Dunedin on 28 October.

WXV 2 – South Africa

Dubai was confirmed as the WXV 2 host (although there was some criticisms of this appointment at the time).

Kat Roche (USA) has the honour of refereeing the first-ever WXV match with Italy v Japan in Stellenbosch, South Africa on 13 October 2023 in WXV 2.

• Clara Munarini (Italy) and Aurélie Groizeleau (France) selected for WXV 2.
• Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand) made her test debut with Japan v Fiji in Tokyo on 16 September and will referee WXV 2.
• Holly Wood (England) will referee her maiden test with Scotland v Spain on 30 September 2023.

Japan Fixtures Match Officials

• Japan vs Italy (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch – Friday, 13 October, 2023)

Referee: Kat Roche (USAR)
Assistant Referee 1: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistant Referee 2: Zoe Naude (SARU)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

• Japan v Samoa (Athlone Stadium, Cape Town – Saturday, 21 October, 2023)

Referee: Holly Wood (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Natarsha Ganley (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: Zoe Naude (SARU)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

• Scotland v Japan (Athlone Stadium, Cape Town – Friday, 27 October, 2023)

Referee: TBC
Assistant Referee 1: TBC
Assistant Referee 2: Zoe Naude (SARU)
TMO: TBC

WXV 3 – Dubai

American Amelia Luciano takes charge of the WXV 3 opener between Fiji and Colombia in Dubai on 13 October 2023.

Sunny Lee (HKCR) will be an Assistant Referee in the same WXV 2 match at The Sevens Stadium.

Former Japan 15s and sevens player Ano Kuwai (JRFU) will make her test match referee debut with the WXV 3 encounter between Ireland and Colombia in Dubai on 21 October 2023 in Dubai. She will be in action the weekend before as an Assistant Referee (AR for the Ireland v Kazakhstan match on Friday, 13 October 2023.

Kazakhstan Fixtures Match Officials

• Ireland v Kazakhstan (The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Friday, 13 October, 2023)

Referee: Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
Assistant Referee 1: Ano Kuwai (JRFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ella Goldsmith (RA)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

• Kazakhstan v Kenya (The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Friday, 20 October, 2023)

Referee: Adele Robert (BEL)
Assistant Referee 1: Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
Assistant Referee 2: Sunny Lee (HKCR)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

• Kazakhstan v Fiji – (The Sevens Stadium, Dubai – Friday, 27 October, 2023)

Referee: TBC
Assistant Referee 1: TBC
Assistant Referee 2: TBC
TMO: TBC

WXV 2023

World Rugby says that “WXV will revolutionise the women’s international rugby landscape, providing a meaningful pathway for all unions and a competitive springboard towards an expanded 16-team Rugby World Cup in 2025.” The RWC 2025 tournament will take place in England before the global showpiece moves to Australia (RWC 2029) and then the USA (RWC 2033).

WXV & Women’s Rugby Tournament News 2023

• Complete 2023 WXV Guide.
• WXV 2023 Match Schedule Confirmed.
• Sakura Fifteen Announce Pre-WXV 2 2023 Match Schedule.
• Emirates Match Officials For 2023 Women’s Internationals and WXV.
• Capgemini Women in Rugby Leadership Programme 2023.