Get ready for a month of intense rugby action and some controversial referee decisions! The November Test series is upon us, and it's already causing a stir.
Italian referee Andrea Piardi, known for his divisive calls, has been appointed to officiate England's highly anticipated clash against the mighty All Blacks on November 15. This comes just six weeks after Piardi's controversial decisions at the Rugby Championship, which sparked heated debates and left many questioning his judgment.
On October 4, Piardi found himself under the microscope at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. His decision not to issue a second yellow card to Canan Moodie, the Springboks' midfielder, divided opinions. Moodie was sin-binned early in the Rugby Championship Round Six match for a high tackle, but Piardi deemed a deliberate knock-on as accidental, a call that even the Springboks' head coach, Rassie Erasmus, admitted was fortunate for their young player.
"In the eye of the storm..." Piardi's involvement in the Test series win for the British and Irish Lions over the Wallabies also caused a stir. He let Jac Morgan off the hook for a potentially dangerous clear-out on Carlo Tizzano, and his decisions in the All Blacks' victory over Australia in Auckland further frustrated the Aussies.
Now, Piardi returns to Twickenham for England's third match of their November series, facing New Zealand. It's a rematch of sorts, as Piardi officiated the South Africa-Argentina game at the same venue just a week earlier.
The November Test series features a total of 34 international matches with Test status, taking place between October 18 and November 29. An impressive 23 referees from 11 countries have been selected for this prestigious duty.
Scotland's Hollie Davidson, who recently officiated the England-France women's Rugby World Cup final, has been given two Test matches, including the highly anticipated Wales-New Zealand clash in Cardiff on November 22.
Here's a breakdown of the Test referee appointments for the upcoming matches:
October 25:
- Japan v Australia: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
November 1:
- England v Australia: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
- South Africa v Japan: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
- Scotland v USA: Damian Schneider (UAR)
- Ireland v New Zealand: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
November 8:
- Ireland v Japan: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
- Scotland v New Zealand: Nic Berry (RA)
- Georgia v USA: Luke Pearce (RFU)
- England v Fiji: Paul Williams (NZR)
- Italy v Australia: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
- France v South Africa: Angus Gardner (RA)
- Romania v Canada: Ben Breakspear (WRU)
- Portugal v Uruguay: James Coleman (NZR)
November 9:
- Wales v Argentina: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
November 15:
- Italy v South Africa: James Doleman (NZR)
- England v New Zealand: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
- Georgia v Canada: Paul Williams (NZR)
- Romania v USA: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
- Wales v Japan: Matthew Carley (RFU)
- Ireland v Australia: Karl Dickson (RFU)
- France v Fiji: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
- Portugal v Hong Kong China: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
November 16:
- Scotland v Argentina: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
November 22:
- Wales v New Zealand: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
- Georgia v Japan: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
- Spain v Fiji: Damian Schneider (UAR)
- Ireland v South Africa: Matthew Carley (RFU)
- Italy v Chile: Andrew Leal (RFU)
- France v Australia: Luke Pearce (RFU)
- Portugal v Canada: Morne Ferreira (SARU)
- Romania v Uruguay: Morne Ferreira (SARU)
November 23:
- Scotland v Tonga: Luc Ramos (FFR)
- England v Argentina: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
November 29:
- Wales v South Africa: Luc Ramos (FFR)
There are also several other international matches scheduled, including:
October 18:
- Japan XV v Australia A: Morgan White (HKCR)
November 1:
- Barbarians v All Blacks XV: Nic Berry (RA)
- Munster v Argentina XV: Angus Gardner (RA)
November 7:
- Bristol v Argentina XV: Nic Berry (RA)
November 8:
- Spain v Ireland A: Tomas Bertazza (UAR)
- England A v All Blacks XV: RFU appointment
November 15:
- Spain v England A: Morgan White (HKCR)
November 16:
- Uruguay v All Blacks XV: FFR appointment
Get ready for some thrilling rugby action and stay tuned for the debates and discussions that are sure to follow! Who do you think will emerge victorious in these highly anticipated matches? And will Piardi's decisions continue to divide opinion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
