Angus Gardner to take charge of Super Rugby final

SANZAAR announced on Friday that 33-year-old Australian referee Angus Gardner will take charge of the Super Rugby Final on Saturday, August 4.

In line with match official calls for the tournament, the selection of the match referees for the Finals Series have been merit-based and have included input from the team head coaches.

It is Gardner’s maiden Super Rugby Final appointment and is reward for his high quality performances throughout the season. The participating teams and the venue for the Final will be determined this weekend following the completion of the semi-finals.

The 33-year-old made his Super Rugby debut in 2012 when he refereed the Reds against the Rebels in Brisbane. He is now one of the most experienced Super Rugby referees. He has refereed 60 Super Rugby matches and in 2018 he has taken charge of 13 matches.

Gardner broke through at senior Test level in 2016 and during 2017 refereed in all the major Test match windows, including appointments in the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship. He has refereed 13 Test matches and has been appointed to referee two Rugby Championship Tests this year – Argentina versus South Africa and South Africa versus New Zealand.

The other match officials for the Final – assistant referees and television match official – will be announced next week following the completion of the semi-finals.