Former St.George Queensland Reds scrumhalf Nic Berry has been appointed to referee Scotland’s test match against Samoa on Saturday at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
Berry became Australia’s newest Test referee last year with his appointment to the Cup of Nations in Hong Kong but Saturday’s Test match will be his first time in charge of a Tier 1 nation.
Berry earned 33 caps for the Reds before entering a career in refereeing that has seen him progress through the Queensland referee's pathway and officiate matches in the Queensland Premier Rugby competition, the National Rugby Championship and Super Rugby.
Earlier in the year, Berry was a match official at the World Rugby U20s Championship where his performances were rewarded with his appointment to referee the final between New Zealand and England in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Last month, the former Queensland scrumhalf took charge of Japan’s tour match against the World XV and more recently he was an assistant referee for the All Blacks 31-22 win over the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Referee Coach, Rugby Australia - Andrew Cole said: “It’s a testament to the amount of work that he’s done to get where he has in such a short period of time.
“Obviously he’s got a natural affinity for the game being an ex-player but his professionalism and dedication to everything he does to make sure he’s in the best frame of mind and prepared going into each match is well rewarded with this appointment,” Cole said.
