Australian match officials appointed to 2022 Six Nations fixtures

Nic Berry will join Angus Gardner, Damon Murphy and Brett Cronan during the Six Nations | Getty Images
Nic Berry will join Angus Gardner, Damon Murphy and Brett Cronan during the Six Nations | Getty Images

Rugby Australia has this evening joined World Rugby in congratulating Damon Murphy, Nic Berry, Angus Gardner and Brett Cronan on their appointments to the 2022 Guinness Six Nations in Europe.

Joining a team of 13 match officials from eight World Rugby Member Unions, all four officials will make Australian Rugby history, taking charge of three tier-one matches across one weekend.

Nic Berry will kick off proceedings on February 12 when reigning Six Nations champions Wales take on Scotland at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

International regular Angus Gardner will also take the reins of his first international match since the 2021 October/November internationals when France host Ireland at Stade de France in Paris on February 12.

Damon Murphy will join the fold fresh off his 2021 Olympic Gold medal final, making his Six Nations debut when England travels to Stadio Olimpico in Rome to take on Italy on February 13 to round out the weekend's fixtures.

Brett Cronan will make his Championship debut as a Television Match Official, appointed to France v Italy on February 6 before joining Nic Berry's team of officials for the February 12 clash in Wales again as TMO.

MORE:

SQUADS: Sevens sides locked in for Spain legs

BUILDING: Donaldson keen to impress

WITHDRAW: Fiji, NZ out of Malaga Sevens

Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Andy Marinos said:"It's an incredible achievement for all four Australians who will be representing us during the Six Nations. I'd like to congratulate them on behalf of Rugby Australia.

"To have Nic, Angus and Damon take control of three individual games on the same weekend is something we've never had before in a team of Australian match officials during the Six Nations, and I know they'll all put their best foot forward."

Chairman of the World Rugby Match Officials Selection Committee Graham Mourie said: "The 2022 Guinness Six Nations represents an important milestone for our match officials on the road to Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

"Being able to select from the largest pool of match officials since the last Rugby World Cup is exciting and also means that we will be able to optimise preparation on the ground prior to and during the Championship.

"I would like to extend my congratulations to Nika, Damon and Karl, who will be refereeing their first Six Nations matches, and wish all the best to all the match officials selected for the Championship."

Share
Emilee Barton to be inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame
Tom Wright on his way to scoring one of his three tries in Wales. Photo: Getty Images
Faessler, Wright hat-tricks help secure Wallabies win over Wales
Rob Valetini will notch his 50th Test for the Wallabies against Wales in Cardiff this weekend. Photo: Getty Images
Kerevi, Valetini to play 50th Tests against Wales in Cardiff
The Australian Rugby community is mourning the loss of Wallaroo #16 Ronnie May who passed away last week aged 52.
Vale Ronnie May, Wallaroo #16