![\"Nic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/b3126b85c5890450f2e891f58d97bf4371ecef12.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n\u201cEqually, if you look at our own performances in terms of the Wallabies, you have to eliminate as best as you can the referee from the game. We have probably let them come into the game more than should be. We just have to better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many of the best and most experienced referees in the world are currently from Australia and New Zealand, including Angus Gardner, Nic Berry, Ben O\u2019Keeffe and Paul Williams. But they are not considered for Bledisloe Cup games because of World Rugby\u2019s neutrality policy.<\/p>\n
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Nic Berry issuing a red card to Lachie Swinton when refereeing the Wallabies in a Bledisloe Cup game 2020.Credit: Getty<\/p>\n
In 2020, however, when COVID forced drastic changes, Gardner, Berry, O\u2019Keeffe and Williams all refereed trans-Tasman Test matches<\/a>, and did so without a single moment of controversy.<\/p>\n Asked if he\u2019d be open to Australians and Kiwis refereeing Bledisloe games, Waugh said: \u201cWithout having spoken to the high-performance team here, I think we want the best referees in the world, refereeing our Test matches.<\/p>\n \u201cIf those best referees are in our market, and it\u2019s a New Zealander refereeing a Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park, I am sure we would be fine with that, as long as it\u2019s (one of) the best referees in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Rugby Championship future<\/p>\n The Bledisloe Cup was reduced from a three-game series to a two-game series in 2022, but Waugh also revealed he was pushing for the three-game series to return.<\/p>\n Loading<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s obviously disappointing we haven\u2019t won it since 2002. We\u2019ve had some good teams pressed for it as well since then,\u201d Waugh said.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone probably wants a three-Test series. If you look at the great series of all different codes all around the world, if you\u2019ve got an opportunity to play a best of three \u2026 or an odd number. We just obviously spent the weekend with our counterparts in New Zealand, and they\u2019re very constructive around the path forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Waugh provided some clarity on the future of the Rugby Championship, after it was revealed the tournament would not be held in 2026<\/a> due to New Zealand\u2019s eight-game tour of South Africa, and could be replaced by a series of tours in 2028.<\/p>\n Waugh said the Wallabies would still play South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand next year, and the delayed start to the 2027 Rugby World Cup meant a full TRC would also be played that year.<\/p>\n Waugh also indicated the Rugby Championship may still be played in 2028, and not the proposed tours, after the success of TRC this year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s yet to be finalised, but there\u2019s a consistency now around the TRC and interest in the TRC which you probably haven\u2019t seen for a long time, and so as we think through 27, 28, 29, that level of consistency is really important in terms of fan-centric and fan engagement,\u201d Waugh said.<\/p>\n School stars and Marky Mark<\/p>\n The record 81-48 victory of the Australian under 18s<\/a> over the New Zealand Schools on Monday was followed by questions around how many of the star teenage players will stay in rugby, and how many will be lost to rugby league. Waugh said RA are confident they will keep most of the squad.<\/p>\n The Australian Under-18s in action against New Zealand Schools on Monday in Canberra.Credit: Rugby Australia<\/p>\n \u201cLast year we had strong results through the Australian under 18s and schools program as well, and we secured 23 of the 26 players in that squad,\u201d Waugh said. \u201cWe are hoping to at least achieve that for this group of young men as well. We are reasonably confident with where we are at with the group.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3579694e3bf7872073ee63c8ee0c8a7b37151a5998250d7c4dc295939d888239.jpeg\")
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