The Ireland vs Springboks referee for this year’s heavyweight Autumn Internationals showdown at the Aviva Stadium has now been confirmed — and it’s a name guaranteed to split opinion.
Matthew Carley will take charge as the Springboks chase a first Dublin win since 2012, the final major milestone Rassie Erasmus is yet to tick off as head coach.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Carley began refereeing at just 16 before earning an RFU scholarship at the University of Gloucestershire.
He rose quickly through the National Leagues and the Championship, famously becoming the first professional referee to wear ‘RefCam’ during Newcastle Falcons v London Scottish in 2012/13. Promotion to Premiership duty soon followed, where he became a familiar face.
His Test career took off in 2016 with USA v Russia, and he joined the Six Nations officiating team a year later. Carley finally took centre stage in the championship in 2018 and later travelled to both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups.
But it was at the 2023 tournament where the Ireland vs Springboks referee came under huge scrutiny. His handling of Wales’ dramatic 32–26 win over Fiji caused uproar after Welsh defenders repeatedly infringed on their own line with little punishment. Despite multiple warnings, only one yellow card was shown to Wales — while Fiji saw Lekima Tagitagivalu sent to the bin first.
Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui was visibly furious post-match, insisting his side were denied “multiple” obvious cards. Former Scotland playmaker Ruaridh Jackson called the situation a “joke”, claiming Wales “could thank Carley for that one”, while ex-Fiji No.10 Nicky Little said the referee “melted” under pressure.
But the most explosive reaction came from BBC presenter Nick Knowles, who unloaded on Carley in a furious social-media tirade — branding the Ireland vs Springboks referee an “absolute disgrace”.
Knowles accused World Rugby of letting Fiji down, writing:
“Absolutely appalling officiating… try-line no-arms tackle ignored, multiple offences ignored, one offence Fiji carded. Officiating ruining this World Cup.”
He went further, demanding rugby’s governing body issue a formal apology:
“This officiating is an absolute disgrace… the officials won that game for Wales.”
As Carley prepares to oversee Ireland vs South Africa — a clash loaded with history, muscle and pressure — all eyes will once again be locked on the man with the whistle.
EDITORS PICKS
Like this:
Loading…
