World Rugby reveals match officials for RWC quarterfinals

NEWS: World Rugby has announced the match officials for the quarterfinals of this year's World Cup

Jaco Peyper (South Africa) will referee the first quarterfinal between Wales and Argentina at Stade de Marseille in Marseille on Saturday.

Wayne Barnes (England) will then referee Ireland v New Zealand at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on the same day.

Mathieu Raynal (France) will take charge of the third quarterfinal between England and Fiji at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille on Sunday.

Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) will referee France v South Africa at Stade de France in Saint-Denis in the final quarterfinal on Sunday.

The wider match official group remains in contention for future appointments at the tournament.

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “I am full of admiration for how the match officials have performed at this World Cup and the example that they set as ambassadors and guardians of the sport’s values.

"They have played their full part in what will be remembered as a compelling pool phase. I would like to congratulate Jaco, Wayne, Mathieu and Ben, the assistant referees and TMOs, and we now look forward to four compelling matches on the road to determining who will lift the Webb Ellis Cup at Stade de France on 28 October.”

World Rugby High Performance XVs Match Officials Manager Joël Jutge added: "Congratulations to those appointed. It was a very difficult selection as the performance level has been high. As a team, the match officials have worked hard to achieve consistency of performance and clarity of decision-making that enables the players to do what they do best.

"There is a strong culture within this group and a strong understanding with the teams owing to the preparation achieved over the last year and beyond. While it is the referees who will get the recognition for the appointments, this is a team game. We have an excellent team of referees, assistant referees and TMOs with a strong team ethic for the group to be the best it can be as a whole.”

Saturday, October 14:

Wales v Argentina

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Ireland v New Zealand

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Christophe Ridley (England)

TMO: Tom Foley (England)

Sunday, October 15:

England v Fiji

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)

Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Pierre Brousset (France)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

France v South Africa

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)

Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)

TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)