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Français (Afrique)World Rugby mulls elite referees panel
CEO Alan Gilpin says World Rugby is considering the introduction of a centralised panel of elite referees to officiate at Test level.
Speaking recently on the Rugby Unity podcast, Gilpin revealed that the idea – similar to the system used by the ICC – had already been discussed internally.
The concept, initially suggested by Eddie Jones, would see the world’s top referees contracted centrally and assigned primarily to international matches, with the aim of improving consistency in decision-making.
“It’s certainly something we’ve talked about several times and it’s something we’ll continue to look at,” Gilpin said.
“The ICC do it in cricket where they have a group of elite match officials and we do have that group of defined elite match officials.
“But our challenge is that they go back into other competitions under the direction of referee managers in other competitions with slightly different remits.”
WATCH: Ref made dreadful decisions – Mallett
The issue has become more pronounced with differing law interpretations between competitions such as the Vodacom URC and and Super Rugby Pacific, with trial laws not uniformly applied.
Gilpin confirmed that former NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson has been tasked with leading a review into officiating standards with a view to helping standardise the application of laws across the sport.
“He is looking at issues around consistency, game philosophy, the use of the television match official and how we get that balance right,” he said.
Robinson officially joins World Rugby in May.
READ: Dobbo fumes over ‘frustrating’ ref calls
Gilpin added that broader discussions around a global rugby calendar were also progressing — a move that could ease player workload and align competitions more effectively.
This is especially significant for Springbok players, with South Africa the only country where players play in northern and southern hemisphere competitions and are in action all-year round.
MORE: ‘Springbok schedule not sustainable’
Photo: Xavier Laine/Getty Images
The post World Rugby mulls elite referees panel appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Jupiler Pro League: Antonio’s last gasp equalizer gives Mechelen a point at Gent
Bill Antonio came on at halftime for KV Mechelen and provided a moment of inspiration to give his club an important 1-1 draw away from home at KAA Gent on Monday in Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League.
| Het eerste doelpunt van het seizoen van Bill Antonio is 𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚑 voor KV Mechelen!
#GNTKVM
Bekijk de #JPL-samenvattingen nu in de DAZN-app!
pic.twitter.com/qmP5Gt19aM
— DAZN België (@DAZN_BENL) April 6, 2026
The Zimbabwean’s beautiful curled effort in stoppage time, his first goal of the season for the club, allowed Mechelen to kick off the championship group with a big result. The two teams remain tied on points in fourth place, where a top-4 position is set to secure qualification for continental football next season.
Hosts Gent went ahead in the opening quarter-hour through English forward Max Dean. However, they failed to seize the advantage in a match that featured few clear opportunities for either team.
The visitors took full control of the second half, dominating possession and creating the majority of chances. When Mathis Servais battled for the ball on the right wing and tackled the ball in the direction of Antonio, the former Dynamos FC phenom produced a perfect strike that left Gent keeper Davy Roef grasping at air.
A positive start to the final stretch of the Jupiler Pro League campaign
It was a standout performance for the attacker, who sparked the Mechelen attack after a sluggish first half performance. Antonio was successful on three of his four dribble attempts and added an element of urgency that was needed to secure a point.
Now grouped with the best teams in the league, there is no time to celebrate with even more difficult fixtures ahead. KVM will next host reigning champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on Sunday.
Lameck Banda reaches new milestone in Serie A
Zambia national team winger Lameck Banda hit a remarkable milestone, making his 100th official appearance for U.S. Lecce during their Serie A fixture against Atalanta on Monday.
The Chipolopolo star was honoured before kickoff of the Italian Serie A fixture against Atalanta at Via Del Mare for having made 100 appearances for US Lecce in all competitions.
Banda joined Lecce in August, 2022, on a four-year contract with an option of a further year after a successful season at Maccabi Petah Tikva in Israel.
Banda hits 100 games for Lecce
A statement from the Serie A club confirmed: “Before the game, President Saverio Sticchi Damiani handed a celebratory shirt to Lameck Banda for the 100 official games in yellow-red.”
During the fixture at Stadio Ettore Giardiniero, Banda was not able to help Lecce as they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Atalanta.
Since joining the club, the 25-year-old has scored seven goals and made eleven assists for Lecce in all competitions. He is the first Zambian in history to feature and score in the Italian topflight.
Banda signed a contract with Russian Premier League club FC Arsenal Tula. He joined his compatriots Evans Kangwa and Kings Kangwa at the club.
Banda first Zambian player in Serie A
He made his debut in the Russian Premier League for Arsenal Tula on 12 July 2019 in a season-opening game against FC Dynamo Moscow, as a starter.
On 3 September 2020, Banda signed with Maccabi Netanya.[4] On 7 September 2020, Arsenal Tula confirmed the transfer and announced that it is a loan until May 2021. On 6 August 2021, he returned to Israel, joining Maccabi Petah Tikva on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
In 2022, Banda joined newly promoted Serie A club U.S. Lecce on a permanent deal, signing a four-year deal with an option for a fifth season.
He then made his debut for the Italian club on 13 August, coming on as a substitute for Federico de Francesco in the 74th minute of a 2-1 league loss against Inter Milan.
By doing so, he became the first Zambian player to ever feature in a Serie A match. Banda has been capped by Zambia at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels. He debuted for the senior Zambia national team in a friendly 3-1 win over the Congo on 25 March 2022.