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New Zealand’s Maggie Cogger-Orr set to officiate opening game of Rugby World Cup 2021

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World Rugby has confirmed the match official appointments for the pool phase of Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand.
  • Match officials confirmed for pool phase of RWC 2021
  • Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand) set to take charge of RWC 2021 opening game
  • Eighteen-strong team of match officials from 11 unions will officiate across the tournament
  • Six referees set to make their Rugby World Cup debut in New Zealand

World Rugby has confirmed the match official appointments for the pool phase of Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand.

Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand) will make her Rugby World Cup debut when she officiates the opening game of the tournament as South Africa take on France at Eden Park at 14:15 local time (GMT+12).

In addition, Cogger-Orr will have the honour of receiving the much-travelled match whistle from adventurers Ron Rutland and Adam Nunn, as they complete the Race to RWC 2021, a 16,500km cycling quest from Tokyo to Auckland, raising funds for the tournament’s Principal Charity Partner ChildFund Rugby.

The opening day will also see Aurélie Groizeleau (France) take charge of the Pool C match between Fiji and England, before Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) oversees Australia v New Zealand.

SEE FULL LIST OF APPOINTMENTS >>

World Rugby Referee Talent Development Manager Alhambra Nievas said: “All roads lead to Rugby World Cup 2021 and in our final weeks our focus is on alignment, refinement and consistency.

“We have an exciting mix of match officials who have worked extremely hard over the last four years to earn their place in the team. With the selection of the pool phase schedule complete, it’s an exciting milestone for match officials to see what games they will officiate, what stadiums they will be in, and brings a new level of focus for the team.”

Rugby World Cup 2021 will kick off at Auckland’s Eden Park on 8 October, 2022 as 12 of the world’s top women’s 15s teams go head-to-head to determine who will be crowned champions on 12 November.

For more information about the Race to RWC 2021, visit ChildFund Rugby or the www.racetorugbyworldcup.com website and @RaceToRWC on Twitter.