Lions vs Argentina referee confirmed — previously clashed with Eddie Jones

Wednesday, 18 June 2025 at 18:58

byRugby Rucker

The Lions vs Argentina referee — who previously clashed with Eddie Jones — has been confirmed for Friday's tour opener in Dublin.

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Sione Tuipulotu and Bundee Aki form an all-Celtic centre combo, despite both being natural inside centres. It’s Tuipulotu’s first appearance since Scotland's win over Australia in November, following his Six Nations injury absence.

Head coach Andy Farrell is still missing many stars due to recent domestic finals. Only Leinster’s Ronan Kelleher, named on the bench, featured for his club last weekend. Maro Itoje takes the reins as tour captain for the first time.

But while fans focus on the action, one man will be feeling the heat more than most…

Who’s The Lions vs Argentina referee?

Enter

James Doleman, the man with the whistle. Born in New Zealand in 1991, Doleman grew up in the Philippines and China before picking up the referee flag at just 16.

His first match? An under-9s game in Hong Kong back in 2007. Looking back, he wasn’t exactly thrilled with his debut: “rubbish,” he later admitted.

But he didn’t stay on the bottom rung for long. By 2019, he was refereeing the World Rugby U20 Championship final. A year later, he made his Super Rugby debut, and in 2021, took charge of his first international match.

The following year, he oversaw the first Test of the Australia vs England series. Then in 2023, he stepped onto the Six Nations stage, refereeing England v Italy.

Speaking to South China Morning Post, Doleman said:

“It’s one of those goals as a referee. Aside from the World Cup, the Six Nations is the pinnacle...
The reason I do it is to be involved in those occasions.”

Eddie Explodes: “He Evened It Up!”

If there's one man who won’t be sending Doleman a Christmas card, it’s Eddie Jones.

Back in 2022, the England coach was left fuming after his side lost 30–28 to Australia in Perth — despite the Wallabies playing with 14 men for over 45 minutes.

Darcy Swain saw red for a headbutt on Jonny Hill, but Australia still stormed to a 30–14 lead before holding off a late fightback.

Jones didn’t hold back, accusing Doleman of favouring the Aussies:

“That always happens... Whenever you get a red card the referee evens it up. That’s normal... we weren’t good enough to understand what that is. And therefore we paid the price.”

Yikes.

Super Rugby Goes WWE

Doleman wasn’t done with drama.

In March 2023, he found himself in the middle of chaos during a Super Rugby clash between the Rebels and Hurricanes. A full-blown brawl broke out after Dane Coles and Josh Canham clashed, with Ardie Savea joining the fray and dragging Carter Gordon to the turf.

Savea was shown yellow, but as he walked off, he was sarcastically applauded by Ryan Louwrens. In response, Savea made a throat-slitting gesture — shocking players, fans, and commentators alike.

Doleman’s mic even picked up a player shouting:

“He's threatening to f*****g kill him, he's threatening to kill him.”

Savea later apologised on Sky Sports

“It’s just a heat of the moment kind of thing... I understand kids are watching us... I’ve got to be better... there's no excuse for me.”

Buckle Up, Doleman’s in Town

From red card rows to Super Rugby shockers, Doleman’s no stranger to headlines — and he’ll be hoping Friday night’s Lions clash is remembered for rugby, not refereeing. But with passions running high and reputations on the line, don’t rule out a little more drama from the man in the middle.

Full list of referee's for the tour:

Fri 20 June 2025
The Lions vs Argentina referee (Dublin)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)

Sat 28 Jun 2025
Western Force v B&I Lions (Perth)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & James Doleman (NZ)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZ)

Wed 2 July 2025
Queensland Reds v B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)

Sat 5 July 2025
NSW Waratahs v B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: James Doleman (NZ) & Angus Mabey (NZ)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)

Wed 9 July 2025
ACT Brumbies v B&I Lions (Canberra)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
ARs: Paul Williams (NZ) & Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)

Sat 12 July 2025
Invitational AUS&NZL v B&I Lions (Adelaide)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Pierre Brousset (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)

Sat 19 July 2025 – Test Match 1

Australia v The B&I Lions (Brisbane)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZ)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)

Tues 22 July 2025
First Nations & Pasifika XV v B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)

Sat 26 July 2025 – Test Match 2

Australia v The B&I Lions (Melbourne)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Ita)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Ben O’Keeffe (NZ)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Marius Jonker (SA)

Sat 2 Aug 2025 – Test Match 3

Australia v The B&I Lions (Sydney)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZ)