NSW Rugby Refs

NSW Rugby Refs Peak body for Rugby Union Referees in Sydney.

The Super W debuts keep coming! Congratulations to Marco Levy who made his debut in Super Rugby Women’s Pacific as an As...
25/06/2026

The Super W debuts keep coming! Congratulations to Marco Levy who made his debut in Super Rugby Women’s Pacific as an Assistant Referee in Fiji on 20 June 2026. Having built his experience across both XVs and Sevens, this appointment marks another significant milestone in Marco’s refereeing career. Earning an opportunity at this level reflects the work he has put in over a the past seasons and the trust placed in him to perform on a bigger stage.

A fantastic achievement and one that is thoroughly deserved. We look forward to seeing what comes next for him!

And thank you to Fijian Drua, for capturing these special moments to celebrate our referees!

Introducing one of our new 2026 refs next up in our member profile series. Fresh to our association, in his 1st year out...
24/06/2026

Introducing one of our new 2026 refs next up in our member profile series. Fresh to our association, in his 1st year out of school and in our transition group, Dan has been a great addition around the group so far this year, and we look forward to seeing him continue his refereeing for years to come! Welcome to seniors Dan!

Behind the Whistle - Wallabies vs Ireland - Meet the Match Officials! 6:30pm - 9:30pm Wednesday 1 July 2026Br. R.J. Wall...
23/06/2026

Behind the Whistle - Wallabies vs Ireland - Meet the Match Officials!

6:30pm - 9:30pm Wednesday 1 July 2026
Br. R.J. Wallace Performing Arts Centre
Waverley College
131 Birrell Street, Waverley NSW 2024

MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER - you can find the link in our bio, in your emails, or in the NSWRRA WhatsApp announcements page.

The panel will include the visiting Match Officials AR 1: Karl Dickson (England), AR 2: Andrea Piardi (Italy), TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy) and No.4 Ella Goldsmith (Australia).

More Super W news! Congratulations to Riley Byrne, who made his debut as an Assistant Referee in Super Rugby Women’s Pac...
21/06/2026

More Super W news! Congratulations to Riley Byrne, who made his debut as an Assistant Referee in Super Rugby Women’s Pacific on Saturday 14 June.
This appointment is a significant step in his refereeing journey and is a reflection of his steady development, strong performances, and the work he has put in over several seasons. Riley approached the occasion with professionalism and represented the association with pride.

We’re proud to acknowledge this milestone and look forward to seeing him continue to build on it.

And thank you to Jayzie Photography, for capturing these special moments for our referees!

The big 350 up for one of the greats, James Scholtens. Scholts is another of our associations stalwarts, having refereed...
21/06/2026

The big 350 up for one of the greats, James Scholtens.

Scholts is another of our associations stalwarts, having refereed games of footy from the cold mornings of 13E’s, to the stadiums of Super Rugby. His continued service to rugby, and our association is testimony to who he is as a person, and we’re extremely proud to be able to celebrate this milestone with him.

Despite leaving the competitive refereeing behind years ago, Scholts showed he has absolutely still got it, his 350th game being Joeys v Kings 1st XV. Well done Scholts!

NSWRRA would like to acknowledge Louis Trisley who has been selected for this evening’s Super Rugby final. A testament t...
20/06/2026

NSWRRA would like to acknowledge Louis Trisley who has been selected for this evening’s Super Rugby final. A testament to a superb season and we congratulate Louis for his efforts.

Well done also to Ella, Marco, and Charlotte over in Fiji today for Super W Round 3.

Well done and go well all!

Today, on Saturday the 20th of June 2026, Dru Tonks will referee his 100th Shute Shield match between Hunter and Souther...
19/06/2026

Today, on Saturday the 20th of June 2026, Dru Tonks will referee his 100th Shute Shield match between Hunter and Southern Districts in Round 10 of the Blue Crane Capital Shute Shield.

He joined NSW Rugby Referees Association (NSWRRA) in 2018, and since that time has refereed 107 games for the association, and been part of multiple Shute Shield finals series. Dru made his Shute shield debut in 2018.

Dru is highly respected as a referee, and as a person by clubs, players, coaches, and his peers, something that has been recognised with his many representative appointments, including serving as a match official in the NRC from 2019, Oceania U20 Championship in 2018 and 2019, the 2019 Commonwealth Games, the 2017 Oceania Rugby Sevens Championships, acting as an FPRO for the Australia v New Zealand Women’s Pacific Four Series match in 2025, and more recently was appointed to the Hong Kong 10s earlier this year.

Dru started his journey refereeing in Newcastle, and is proof that the link to regional associations in the state is strong. Unlike many on the panel, he didn’t just start out in Sydney; he built his foundation in the Newcastle competition. Marking his 100th game right back where it all began in Newcastle adds a well-deserved, special layer to this milestone.

Off the field, Dru is a very valued member of our Shute Shield Panel, and all members of the rugby community. Dru always does his best to give back, mentoring local referees, as well as actively developing other match officials. His approachability and willingness to help makes him a reliable sounding board for officials at any stage of their career.

In NSWRRA’s 134 years there are only 20 referees to have officiated 100 first grade matches, making it a very exclusive club. Dru becomes the 21st to join this group, including a few names: Dick Byres, Peter Marshall, Wayne Erickson, George Ayoub, Stuart Dickinson and James Quinn, who will be on the line for Dru!

NSWRRA is extremely proud of Dru’s personal achievement and his contribution to the Association, the Shute Shield competition, and the broader rugby community.

Well done Tonksy!

SHUTE SHIELD APPOINTMENTS. Round 10… big games, big names
19/06/2026

SHUTE SHIELD APPOINTMENTS. Round 10… big games, big names

Another Super W debutant! Congratulations to Clare Adamson, who took the field on Saturday 6 June for her first Super Ru...
18/06/2026

Another Super W debutant! Congratulations to Clare Adamson, who took the field on Saturday 6 June for her first Super Rugby Women’s Pacific appointment as an Assistant Referee. This moment reflects her persistence, growth, and and the commitment she has shown to her development. Clare approached the occasion with maturity and confidence, and her work on the line was a credit to both herself and the association.

We’re incredibly proud to see her reach this milestone and look forward to what comes next. Well done Clare!

And thank you to AJF Photography and dgpsports for capturing these important moments for our referees.

It is with deep sadness that we inform everyone of the passing earlier this afternoon of the NSWRRA and NRURA Life Membe...
17/06/2026

It is with deep sadness that we inform everyone of the passing earlier this afternoon of the NSWRRA and NRURA Life Member and NRURA Patron, John Miner OAM. John has been a central figure in the life of the Newcastle Rugby Union Referees Association for more than six decades, and his loss will be felt across the entire community.

John’s contribution to refereeing in Newcastle, NSW Country, NSW, and Australian Rugby Union was exceptional. He served as a First-Grade referee in Newcastle with over 100 matches at this level, a referee coach, and a mentor whose influence shaped many generations of match officials not just in Newcastle and the Hunter, but across Australia and overseas. His guidance, his standards, his knowledge of Law and his commitment to developing referees have left a lasting imprint on our Association and all those with whom he came into contact.

John’s service was recognised nationally with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 1989 for his contribution to Rugby Union.

His expertise was also sought at the highest levels of the game, being the Head of Referee Selectors at the ARU for many years, and also appointed by the IRB to the 1987 and 1991 Rugby World Cups as a Referee Selector. These roles reflect the respect he held not only in Newcastle, but across the rugby world.
We acknowledge a remarkable life of service and a man who gave so much to our refereeing community.

NSWRRA and our members extend our sincere condolences to John’s family and to all who knew him.

May he rest in peace.

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Daceyville, NSW
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