Who is RWC referee Mathieu Raynal?
The only home representative among the 12-man panel of Rugby World Cup referees is 41-year-old Frenchman Mathieu Raynal.
The only home representative among the 12-man panel of Rugby World Cup referees is 41-year-old Frenchman Mathieu Raynal.
Esteemed among the best whistlers in the Northern Hemisphere, Raynal hasn’t managed to avoid controversy over the course of his career.
Last term Raynal took charge of the Bledisloe Cup Test between New Zealand and Australia at Marvel Stadium which saw him caught at the centre of a fierce debate.
With time running out in the first clash between Australia and New Zealand, Raynal awarded Australia a penalty but after the Wallabies kicker ignored his calls to get on with the game he reversed the decision which led to a crucial late score for the All Blacks and ultimately a Rugby Championship victory.
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HOW HAS MATHIEU RAYNAL OFFICIATED RECENTLY
Raynal took charge of this year’s Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and Springboks in Auckland.
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That match was not without controversy but Raynal did a decent job of controlling what is always a tough match to officiate.
Raynal enjoyed a solid Six Nations with the whistle, earning plaudits from neutrals for his control of matches.
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He will be among the prominent officials at the Rugby World Cup.
Raynal also whisteled the All Blacks 25-25 draw with England at Twickenham last year.
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HIS HISTORY
Raynal had a brief playing career that saw him turn out for hometown club Perpignan before transitioning to officiating.
In 2013 he suffered a horror injury after being caught between two players and fracturing both his and fibula.
He missed several months of action but would return to the whistle work in 2014.
Raynal has refereed three Tests involving the Springboks with the men in green and gold winning two and losing the other.
RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL GAME ASSIGNMENTS
England v Argentina 9 September
South Africa v Romania 17 September
Uruguay v Namibia 27 September
Wales v Georgia 7 October