South Africa's Jaco Peyper will referee his 50th test but his first Rugby World Cup quarterfinal when he takes charge of the knockout match between Wales and France at Oita, Japan on Sunday.
World Rugby on Tuesday announced Peyper, Jerome Garces of France, Nigel Owens of Wales and Wayne Barnes of England will control weekend quarterfinals. The decision follows a review of refereeing performances over 37 pool matches.
The world body said the selection "reflects the officiating team's blend of experience and younger talent."
Referee Jerome Garces, left, and his assistant Karl Dickson watch a video review during the Rugby World Cup Pool D game at Oita Stadium between Wales and Fiji in Oita, Japan, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Garces will control the quarterfinal between England and Australia at Oita on Saturday. Owens will referee the match between defending world champion New Zealand at Tokyo Stadium later the same day.
Peyper will referee the first of two quarterfinals on Sunday while Barnes controls the weekend's final match between hosts Japan and South Africa.
The four referees have 285 test appearances between them.
Referee Wayne Barnes gestures to players during the Rugby World Cup Pool A game at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa between Scotland and Russia in Shizuoka, Japan, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
Owens refereed the 2015 World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia.
Barnes first refereed at a World Cup in 2007, controlling the quarterfinal between New Zealand and France. In 2011 he had charge of the third-fourth playoff between Wales and Australia and in 2015 refereed the semifinal between Australia and Argentina while Garces controlled the other semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa.
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Referee Nigel Owens gestures as he awards a penalty against Argentina during the Rugby World Cup Pool C game at Tokyo Stadium between England and Argentina in Tokyo, Japan, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. (AP PhotoEugene Hoshiko)