World Cup 2023 – Referee Jaco Pepper in the opening match between France and New Zealand?

It’s a prospect that brings back bad memories for French fans. According to the British media, The telegraphJacko Bieber must referee during the much-anticipated opening match between the Blues and the All Blacks, scheduled for September 8th.

Four years ago, it was the South African who blew the whistle in the quarter-final between the fifteenth of France and Wales. Bieber also distinguished himself at the end of the meeting by posing with Welsh supporters, mimicking a push by Sebastian Fahamahaina, who had eliminated him during the meeting. A gesture that particularly angered the tricolor rugby.

If his appointment is to become official in one of the most anticipated fixtures in rugby history, the Bloemfontein native will then celebrate the second opening match of his rich career. He was the main referee during the England-Fiji match in 2015.

Central figure in the Sexton case

Recently, the name Jaco Bieber has been making headlines for a while. In fact, it was he who officiated during the last Champions Cup final between La Rochelle and Leinster.

After the final whistle, the 43-year-old was insulted by Jonathan Sexton who told him it was a “ridiculous shame”. The Flying Irish half received a three match suspension after the words.

Despite a few “issues” that concerned him closely, Jaco Pepper is still an authority on international arbitration. Appointing him to meet on September 8th would not be unreasonable.