Referee Angus Gardner will become the first Australian to officiate 100 Super Rugby games when he takes charge of the clash between the NSW Waratahs and Western Force on Saturday.
A formal presentation following full-time at Allianz Stadium will see Gardner presented the match ball in recognition of the historic milestone.
The 38-year-old made his Super Rugby debut as the Queensland Reds hosted the Melbourne Rebels on 10 March 2012.
“I’m incredibly fortunate to be living my dream and truly grateful for every experience that I’ve had in Rugby so far,” Gardner said.
“Super Rugby is an amazingly unique competition, with every week presenting a different challenge, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of it over the last ten years.
“I’m always striving to make a positive contribution and maybe one day have that perfect game.
“Reaching this milestone is as much about the people who have supported me over many years, none more so than my wife Nicole, parents, family, and long-time mentors John McCarthy and the late Andrew Cole.”
After appearing as an assistant referee at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Gardner made his tier one Test debut in 2016.
Two years later he officiated the Super Rugby Final and won the World Rugby Referee Award, before being selected as a referee for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
“Elite match officials are high performance athletes in their own right, so for Angus to have spent more than a decade in Super Rugby is an incredible achievement,” Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos said.
“This milestone is testament to his passion, determination and commitment to the game.
“Our competition is the beneficiary of these attributes, where we are fortunate to have an internationally respected referee so actively involved with Super Rugby, our teams and players.
“There’s no doubt referees like Angus inspire countless boys and girls to pick up a whistle and in doing so make an indelible mark on Rugby in Australia.”
