Australian Referee Angus Gardner will officiate his first major Tier one International Test match when he is the man in the middle for the Six Nations clash between Ireland and Italy in Dublin on March 12, 2016.
A product of the ARU’s Schools Referees Pathways Program, Gardner is one of the most highly regarded Refs in Australian Rugby, recognised for his consistent performances throughout the 2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby season.
Having refereed eight International Test matches, including two Pacific Nations Cup Tournaments, and 26 Asteron Life Super Rugby matches, the Six Nations represents the next step in Gardner’s career pathway.
ARU Head of Referees, Scott Young offered his congratulations on Gardner’s appointment: “Angus is a high quality referee and has proven himself through his performances at Super Rugby and Test level.
“He has gained valuable experience as an Assistant Referee throughout the 2015 Rugby World Cup and now has the opportunity to work with some of the best officiating talent in the World at the Six Nations.
“We look forward to seeing him take the enxt step in his career.”
Gardner went into the 2015 Rugby World Cup as an Assistant Referee having already officiated four International Test matches this year.
For Gardner, the opportunity to officiate at Tier one level is an exciting prospect: “I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to referee at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
“To see your name next to the best referees in the World is a truly humbling experience and I am looking forward to the match.”
Making his professional referee debut in 2012 at Suncorp Stadium in a clash between the Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels, Gardner added four more Super Rugby matches in 2013, and a further eight in 2014, and 12 matches this year.
One of the key Australian referees, Gardner will return to the Asteron Life Super Rugby competition in 2016 when the newly expanded competition is introduced to fans for the first time with the inclusion of a teams from Japan and Argentina.
Also representing Australia in an officiating capacity will be Television Match Official, George Ayoub who has been selected to preside over five matches throughout the Championship.
