Italy v England
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Saturday, 3 February, 2024
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
Born in Taranaki, New Zealand, in 1985, Paul Williams embarked on his refereeing career in 2011, all while maintaining his role as a scrum-half at the club level. Three years later, he earned a spot in the prestigious New Zealand High Performance referee squad, rapidly progressing through the ranks within the domestic scene. By 2016, Williams made the decisive move to become a full-time referee, securing a coveted position on the Super Rugby panel.
In addition to his contributions to Super Rugby matches, Williams officiated the 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship final between England and Ireland before taking on the responsibility of overseeing his inaugural international test match the following year.
His prowess as a referee was recognized on the global stage when he was selected to officiate at the esteemed 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. The subsequent year marked a historic moment for Williams as he became the first New Zealand-born referee to take charge of an All Blacks’ test. This groundbreaking achievement unfolded during the opening game of the Bledisloe Cup series in Wellington, cementing Paul Williams’ status as a distinguished figure in international rugby officiating.