Lions fans in meltdown as ref accused of ‘absolute s–t show’ named for Wallabies Test
World Rugby have named an Italian referee as one of three refs for the Lions Tests against the Wallabies, just days after he was embroiled in an embarrassing gaffe in the United Rugby Championship
The decision to award Andrea Piardi, 32, the second Test, with Kiwi Ben O’Keeffe the first and Georgian Nika Amashukeli the third raised the ire of Lions fans on social media.
It is the first time an Italian and a Georgian will referee the British and Irish Lions. Australian referees are not eligible to officiate, but Nic Berry was awarded the opening Test between New Zealand and France in Dunedin as WR revealed the officials for 38 matches this winter.
Piardi was in the centre when the Wallabies lost 22-19 to Ireland in Dublin last year.
The appointments come less than two weeks after Piardi’s gaffe in the URC match between Munster and the Bulls where he forgot the law governing whether a team must sacrifice an additional player if the scrum has to go uncontested.
Munster had lost prop Oli Jager to a first-half injury and after his replacement Stephen Archer lasted just 12 minutes of the second half, the Irish side should have been allowed to go to uncontested scrums without the loss of an extra player.
Piardi wrongly forced Munster to play with 14 before the error was noticed and they were restored to 15 after 14 minutes of elapsed play.
Piardi will also referee the AUNZ Invitational team’s game against the touring Lions.
Lions fans on social media were brutal in their reaction to Piardi’s appointment.
“FFS. After his cluster f–k at Thomond Park Piardi gets to ref two matches on the Lions tour, including a Test, and is assistant on four others!! Rewarding failure. Well done, World Rugby,” wrote John Loftus.
The Travelling Reserve wrote: “The continued selection of Piardi in these high-profile games is genuinely mind-blowing. Bloke doesn’t understand basic laws. That second Test is going to be carnage,” while Danny O’Brien added: “If Piardi is viewed at high on the list we’re in trouble. So often he’s the centre of attention when it should be the total opposite.”
British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia Referee Appointments
Friday, June 20: British and Irish Lions v Argentina at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
Saturday, June 28: Western Force v British and Irish Lions at Optus Stadium, Perth
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), James Doleman (NZR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
Wednesday, July 2: Queensland Reds v British and Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Saturday, July 5: NSW Waratahs v British and Irish Lions at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
Wednesday, July 9: ACT Brumbies v British and Irish Lions at GIO Stadium, Canberra
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Saturday, July 12: Invitational Australia and New Zealand v British and Irish Lions at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Saturday, July 19: Australia v British and Irish Lions First Test at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Tuesday, July 22: First Nations and Pasifika XV v British and Irish Lions at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
Saturday, July 26: Australia v British and Irish Lions Second Test at MCG, Melbourne
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Saturday, August 2: Australia v British and Irish Lions Third Test at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)