Asia Rugby Announces Match Officials for the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship

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Asia Rugby has officially announced the match officials who will preside over the highly anticipated Asia Rugby Men’s Championship. The prestigious tournament, set to kick off on June 3rd, at Siadinha Hamzah Stadium (IIUM), Kulalamput and will showcase the region’s top teams as they compete for the coveted championship title.

Leading the panel of match officials is a group of highly experienced referees who bring a wealth of expertise to the tournament. These officials have been carefully selected by Asia Rugby to ensure fair and impartial officiating throughout the competition.

The match officials have been carefully selected by Asia Rugby’s Selections and Appointments Panel and ratified by both the Asia Rugby Referee’s Committee and the Asia Rugby Interim CEO.

Matthew Rodden from the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) will take charge of the opening match between Malaysia and Korea on June 3rd. Known for his sharp decision-making and excellent communication skills, Rodden is no stranger to high-pressure encounters and is expected to set the tone for the championship with his officiating.

Joining Rodden on the referee team is Craig Chan from the HKRU and Leow Wei Liang from the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU), who will serve as Assistant Referee 1 and Assistant Referee 2, respectively. Both officials have a proven track record in their respective unions and will provide invaluable support to Rodden on the field.

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The crucial role of the Television Match Official (TMO) will be fulfilled by Shane Barr from the SRU. Barr’s expertise in utilizing technology to ensure accurate decisions will be instrumental in resolving complex situations during matches and providing assistance to the on-field officials.

Peter Hudson, from Qatar Rugby Football Union (QRF) remotely, will assume the position of Performance Reviewer (PR). As a PR, Hudson will assess the overall performance of the match officials, providing constructive feedback and ensuring that the highest standards of officiating are maintained.

Additionally, Chris Galea from the SRU will serve as the Citing Commissioner (CC) throughout the championship, closely monitoring any incidents that require further review or disciplinary action. The Judicial Officer (JO) responsible for adjudicating disciplinary matters will be Ramesh Lachmanan from the Malaysia Rugby Union (MRU).

The subsequent matches in the tournament will move to the Hong Kong Rugby Club in Hong Kong SAR and will see a seamless transition of match officials. Notably, Shane Barr will step into the role of the referee for the Hong Kong versus Malaysia clash on June 10th, supported by Assistant Referee 1 Katsuki Furuse from the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) and Assistant Referee 2 Tasuku Kawahara, also from the JRFU.

For the final match on June 17th, Katsuki Furuse will assume the role of referee, partnering with Assistant Referee 1 Tasuku Kawahara and Assistant Referee 2 Takehito Namkeawa, both from the JRFU. Shuhei Kubo, also from the JRFU, will fulfil the duty of the Television Match Official (TMO), ensuring accurate decision-making in critical moments.

Asia Rugby’s decision to appoint such a distinguished panel of match officials underscores the commitment to maintaining the integrity and high standards of the tournament. With their collective experience and professionalism, these officials are well-prepared to navigate the challenges of the championship and ensure a fair and thrilling competition for all participating teams and fans alike.

As the countdown to the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship begins, anticipation grows for the matches that lie ahead. With the stage set and the match officials in place, teams from Hong Kong China, Malaysia, and Korea are ready to battle it out on the field.

Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2023

Game 1 Korea v Malaysia
3rd June KO: 14:00 ( +8GMT)
Siadinha Hamzah Stadium (IIUM), KL Malaysia
Live Stream

Game 2 Hong Kong v Malaysia
10th June KO: 17:00 ( +8GMT)
Hong Kong Football Club , Hong Kong SAR

Game 3 Hong Kong v Korea
17th June KO: 17:00 ( +8GMT)