Irish ref Rolland to take charge of World Cup final
Tuesday October 09 2007
IRISH referee Alain Rolland has been given charge of the World Cup final, which will take place at the Stade de France on October 20, organisers said last night.
South African Jonathan Kaplan will officiate at the first semi-final next Saturday between hosts France and England at the same stadium.
Steve Walsh of New Zealand will referee Sunday's second semi-final between South Africa and Argentina, also at the Stade de France.
Another New Zealander, Paul Honiss, will take charge of the third-place playoff at the Parc des Princes on October 19.
Meanwhile, the International Rugby Board has said it is undecided about the number of teams it will have in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, IRB chairman Syd Millar said yesterday.
The IRB has been considering reducing the number of teams in the tournament from 20 to 16 but there has been an outcry from the smaller nations.
"No decision has been made. We will review it and make sure to get it right," Millar told a news conference.
