Super Rugby referees for Rounds 1-3
The match officials for the opening three rounds of Super Rugby action have been confirmed, with Nick Briant landing the season opener in Christchurch.
Round 1, February 13-15
Crusaders vs Melbourne Rebels at AMI Stadium, Addington, Christchurch
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Brumbies vs Reds at GIO Stadium, Canberra
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Lions vs Hurricanes at Ellis Park
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), Lesego Legoete (South Africa)
Television match officials: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
Blues vs Chiefs at North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Sharks vs Cheetahs at Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Craig Joubert/Jason Jaftha (South Africa)
Assistant referees: tbc, Archie Sehlako (South Africa)
Television match officials: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Bulls vs Stormers at Loftus Versfeld
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco van Heerden (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
Television match officials: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
Waratahs vs Western Force at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Round 2, February 20-21
Chiefs vs Brumbies at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Melbourne Rebels vs Waratahs at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Bulls vs Hurricanes at Loftus Versfeld
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant referees: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia), Ben Crouse (South Africa)
Television match officials: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
Highlanders vs Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Reds vs Western Force at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Stormers vs Blues at Newlands
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
Television match officials: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Sharks vs Lions at Kings Park
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Television match officials: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Round 3, February 27-28
Highlanders vs Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Western Force vs Hurricanes at nib Stadium, Perth
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Cheetahs vs Blues at Free State Rugby Stadium
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
Television match officials: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
Chiefs vs Crusaders at Waikato Stadium
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Melbourne Rebels vs Brumbies at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Bulls vs Sharks at Loftus Versfeld
Referee: Jaco van Heerden/Jason Jaftha (South Africa)
Assistant referees: tba, Ben Crouse (South Africa)
Television match officials: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
Lions vs Stormers at Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Lesego Legoete (South Africa), Stephan Geldenhuys Stephan (South Africa)
Television match officials: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)