British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland was left fuming that there could be no neutral TMO for Saturday’s series opener against South Africa.
New Zealand’s Brendon Pickerill was forced to withdraw due to pandemic-related travel issues.
The Lions are understood to be pushing governing body World Rugby to appoint a neutral TMO for the second and third Tests of the series.
World Rugby used ‘home’ TMOs in last year’s Rugby Championship, but a referee would not officiate in a match involving their own country.
MATCH OFFICIALS FOR THE THREE TESTS:
FIRST TEST:
South Africa v British and Irish Lions Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Saturday, 24 July, 2021 | Referee: Nic Berry (RA) Assistant Referee 1: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) TMO: Marius Jonker (SA) |