New Zealand have been given a timely boost as South African referee Jaco Peyper is reportedly set to handle the World Cup opener between the All Blacks and hosts France.
According to a report by Stuff.co.nz, Peyper will be the man in the middle for the opening fixture of the 2023 World Cup between the All Blacks and Les Blues in Paris on 9 September.
The match will likely decide the outcome of Pool A, with Italy, Namibia and Uruguay unlikely to produce an upset result in the pool stages. The winner of Pool A will, in the quarter-finals, face the runner-up in Pool B, which includes defending champions South Africa, Ireland and Scotland.
New Zealand’s remaining pool fixtures will reportedly be handled by Englishmen, including veteran referee Wayne Barnes – entering his fifth World Cup – who was in charge of the 2007 quarter-final loss to France.
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However, according to the report, it is Peyper’s appointment that will have Ian Foster’s men beaming from ear to ear.
In the 17 Tests that Peyper has officiated involving New Zealand, the All Blacks have won 15 of those, losing one and drawing one, for an overall win rate of 88%. New Zealand’s average score in Peyper-officiated Tests is 31-15.
In games where Barnes has the whistle, the All Blacks only have a 64% win rate, winning 14 out of 22 Tests, with an average score of 33-21.
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