Angus Gardner, the esteemed Australian referee scheduled to officiate the forthcoming match between France and England, has navigated a tumultuous yet distinguished career in the realm of rugby officiating. Despite boasting an impressive array of accolades, including overseeing prominent events such as the 2018 Super Rugby final and the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final, Gardner has encountered his fair share of contentious moments.
Born in Sydney in 1984, Gardner’s rugby ambitions were curtailed by the hereditary disc condition, Scheuermann’s Disease. This compelled him to gravitate towards a career in refereeing. Throughout his journey towards professional rugby officiating, Gardner has weathered criticism and backlash from various quarters within the sport. Notably, during the 2019 Rugby World Cup, the French captain Guilhem Guirado lamented Gardner’s alleged failure to appropriately penalize their opponents in a match, contributing to a narrow 23-21 triumph by Les Bleus over Argentina. This prompted an acerbic response from the French team, with prop Jefferson Poirot candidly opining, “We got screwed.”
However, it is not solely the French contingent that has aired grievances against Gardner. Rassie Erasmus, the Director of Rugby for the Springboks, resorted to reprehensible conduct following the 2018 Rugby Championship. His actions included sending emails to Gardner after both games officiated by the latter, as well as placing a pre-dawn phone call to the referee. World Rugby censured Erasmus for his behaviour, a contributing factor to his subsequent suspension.
Gardner’s career has also been marred by notable errors. In a Bledisloe Cup Test in 2020, a misstep by Gardner led to a try being awarded to the All Blacks, despite irrefutable video evidence indicating that the ball carrier had stepped into touch. In response to the ensuing criticism, Gardner tendered a public apology via live radio, acknowledging the mistake and underscoring the role of referees as impartial arbiters.
Despite the controversies that have punctuated his career, Gardner’s prowess and experience as a rugby referee remain unassailable. Having secured significant milestones, including being named World Rugby Referee of the Year in 2018, Gardner is a figure of considerable repute and accomplishment within the realm of rugby officiating. His journey from an aspiring rugby player to an influential referee exemplifies unwavering determination and resilience.
As Angus Gardner readies himself to officiate the upcoming clash between France and England, his presence on the field is poised to attract scrutiny and attention. His history of contentious episodes and high-stakes engagements, juxtaposed with his illustrious career as a professional referee, underscores the complexities and gratification inherent in his chosen vocation.