Australian duo Amber McLachlan and Tyler Miller have been appointed to Rugby World Cup 2021 warm-up games.
They add to the team of 26 referees, assistant referees and television match officials (TMOs) representing 12 different nations as part of the key build-up to the hallmark event.
McLachlan will head to Japan on July 26 as the Sakura Fifteen face South Africa in Iwate Prefecture.
It will mark the first international test match on home soil for Japan since 2017, full of confidence after their shock win over Australia.
The Victorian-based referee and Miller will then serve as assistant referees to Kiwi Maggie Cogger-Orr in the Laurie O’Reilly Cup as the Black Ferns host the Wallaroos in Christchurch on August 20.
McLachlan will take the corresponding fixture in Adelaide seven days later as the two teams face once again, with Miller retaining the assistant referee duties.
They are a part of the all-female group of officials that will referee the 26 matches across the World Cup, set to begin with a triple-header on October 8 as the Kiwis and Wallaroos resume their rivalry.
“The Rugby World Cup 2021 warm-up fixtures not only provide teams and players with an opportunity to add the finishing touches ahead of their Rugby World Cup campaigns this October and November, but they are crucial for our team of match officials too.
“The team has been working extremely hard since earning their selection for Rugby World Cup 2021 and this series of matches will be their final opportunity to come together and fine-tune their preparations before going into the tournament.
“It’s also a brilliant way for us to provide opportunities to assistant referees and TMOs from the host unions where they will be exposed to world-class women’s 15s rugby. We congratulate all the officials on their well-deserved selection,” World Rugby Referee Talent Development Manager, Alhambra Nievas said.
