Scotland’s fly-half Finn Russell speaks to the Referee Ben O’Keefe during the Pre-World Cup Friendly Rugby Union match between Scotland and France at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 5, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Who is RWC referee Ben O’Keeffe?
New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe is among the 12 men chosen as Rugby World Cup referees.
Scotland’s fly-half Finn Russell speaks to the Referee Ben O’Keefe during the Pre-World Cup Friendly Rugby Union match between Scotland and France at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 5, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe is among the 12 men chosen as Rugby World Cup referees.
O’Keeffe had most recently drawn ire in New Zealand itself over his handling of the Super Rugby Pacific final.
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He was in charge of the Springboks mauling of the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld.
O’Keeffe is known to review his own performance extensively and is generally a calm and considered referee with good instincts.
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He will take charge of the Springboks crucial match against Ireland in the group stage of the Rugby World Cup.
How has Ben O’Keeffe officiated recently
O’Keeffe got a roasting for missing a forward pass in the Super Rugby Final.
He also wasn’t at his sharpest when he took charge of the Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham.
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England didn’t manage to muster much in the way of protests given the hammering France gave them but O’Keeffe’s early mistakes fell in favour of the French and the match might have been different but for this.
Notably France’s first try was awarded in error with Marcus Smith tackled and not released before he was driven over the line and had the ball stripped. This incident happened very quickly but the TMO let O’Keeffe down by failing to bring the timing of the tackle and a lack of release to his attention.
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He refereed two Scotland international during the recent Rugby World Cup warmups but returned to New Zealand for NPC duty.
His History
The 34-year-old referee and doctor did not have any sort of elite playing career.
O’Keeffe is from New Zealand’s South Island having been born and raised in Blenheim.
He attended the esteemed Marlborough Boys’ College, where he was head boy in 2006.
O’Keeffe is an ophthalmologist and co-founder of oDocs Eye Care which seeks to make eye care more affordable.
His brother Michael O’Keeffe was a professional footballer who represented New Zealand at age group levels.
RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL ASSIGNMENTS FOR BEN O’Keeffe
France v Uruguay 14 September
South Africa v Ireland 23 September
Japan v Argentina 8 October
