France vs New Zealand referee was 'stabbed in the leg' during match
Today at 12:34 AM
Who is the France vs New Zealand referee? A Georgian whistleblower will be in charge for the blockbuster clash at the Stade de France on Saturday.
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Born in Tbilisi in 1994, Nika Amashukeli didn’t grow up dreaming of rugby. Instead, it was football that had his heart, until an unexpected twist. At 11, his dad literally forced him to sit down and watch his first rugby match—a World Cup clash between Ireland and Georgia two years later. Little did he know that moment would change his life.
Hooked from that day on, Amashukeli charged through Georgia’s age-grade squads, even making the squad for the 2012 European Under-18 Rugby Championship. But his playing days were short-lived; he hung up his boots at just 20. Yet, the rugby bug had bitten, and he wasn’t going anywhere.
Test Debut in Montenegro
He swapped his playing kit for a referee whistle, and in 2015, he made his first big impact. Half a game between Montenegro and Estonia in the European Nations Cup Third Division was under his watchful eye. From there, he caught the eye on a bigger stage, officiating at the 2019 World U20 Championship in Argentina and learning from his hero, Wayne Barnes, during the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup.
Breaking Barriers
Amashukeli became the first Georgian to referee a top-tier international when he oversaw Wales v Canada in July 2021. His resume rapidly expanded: Ireland v Japan, Barbarians v Tonga, and Wales v Australia all fell under his command in the same year's autumn series.
Six Nations Tears
In 2022, he made his Six Nations debut as Ireland took on Italy in Dublin. It was a milestone so significant it brought him to tears. “Tears were rolling down my face,” he confessed to Rugby Europe. Later that year, he took charge of South Africa v Ireland, a brutal clash that left a lasting impression. “I could hear ribs cracking at every breakdown,” he remembered. “After the game, I just wanted to shake every player's hand out of pure respect.”
Stabbed After a Didi 10 Match
His career was nearly over before it began. In 2016, a Didi 10 league match between Armia and Batumi descended into chaos when a miscommunication about the game clock led to a riot. Amashukeli later recounted to Telegraph Sport: “There was no official timekeeping, referees controlled the time.” A misunderstanding spiraled into an altercation that saw him stabbed in the leg by an irate supporter.
Blood poured from the wound, and the perpetrator was never caught. Amashukeli was left shaken and considered leaving the sport altogether. But he healed—both physically and mentally—and emerged stronger, proving himself as one of rugby’s most resilient and talented referees.
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Referee’s this weekend:
15-17 Nov 2024
Ireland v Argentina
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: Craig Evans (Wal) & Angus Mabey (NZ)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
England vs South Africa referee
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)
ARs: Chris Busby (Ire) & Eoghan Cross (Ire)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
France v New Zealand
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Matt Carley (Eng) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Japan v Uruguay
Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)
ARs: Luc Ramos (Fra) & Adam Leal (Eng)
TMO: Tual Trainini (Fra)
USA v Tonga
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Luc Ramos (Fra) & Adam Leal (Eng)
TMO: Tual Trainini (Fra)
Scotland v Portugal
Referee: Takehito Namekawa (Jpn)
ARs: Luke Pearce (Eng) & Antony Woodthorpe (Eng)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ire)
Spain v Fiji
Referee: Morne Ferreira (SA)
ARs: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA) & Federico Vedovelli (Ita)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
Romania v Canada
Referee: Sam Grove White (Sco)
ARs: Saba Abulashvili (Geo) & TBC
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Sco)
Netherlands v Chile
Referee: Jeremy Rosier (Fra)
ARs: Evan Urruzmendi (Fra) & Kevin Bralley (Fra)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Hong Kong China v Brazil
Referee: Katsuki Furuse (Jpn)
ARs: Reuben Keane (Aus) & Morgan White (HKC)
England A v Australia A
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ire)
ARs: TBC & Joe James (Eng)
TMO: TBC
Wales v Australia
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
ARs: Karl Dickson (Eng) & Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SA)
Italy v Georgia
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)
ARs: Pierre Brousset (Fra) & Damian Schneider (Arg)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)
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