Argentina vs Chile referee: Who is Rugby World Cup official Paul Williams?

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New Zealand’s Paul Williams is one of the referees at this year’s Rugby World Cup.

The 38-year-old made his debut at the tournament four years ago and returns after being again appointed to the officiating panel.

Williams began his career with the whistle in 2011, and was appointed to the New Zealand High Performance referee squad three years later.

A step-up into Super Rugby followed in 2016, with Williams the first official in the competition from the North Island region of Taranaki.

That same year, the New Zealander took charge of the World Rugby U20 Championship final between England and Ireland.

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12 months later, an international debut arrived as Williams officiated Scotland’s win over Italy in Singapore.

In 2020, during the Covid pandemic, Williams became the first New Zealand-born referee to take charge of an All Blacks game in almost 40 years.

Four years ago, the official travelled alongside Ben O’Keeffe as the country’s two refereeing representatives at the World Cup, and the pair again made the 12-strong panel this time around.

Which games is Paul Williams refereeing at the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

Samoa v Chile – Pool D (16 September, Bordeaux)

Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)

ARs: Angus Gardner (Aus) & James Doleman (NZ)

TMO: Brett Cronan (Aus)

Georgia v Portugal – Pool C (23 September, Toulouse)

Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)

ARs: Matthew Carley (Eng) & Chris Busby (Ire)

TMO: Joy Neville (Ire)

Argentina v Chile – Pool D (30 September, Nantes)

Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)

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ARs: Angus Gardner (Aus) & James Doleman (NZ)

TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)

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