A ruck over whether Rugby World Cup referees have fallen out with the tournament’s official timekeeping partner, Tudor, is completely inaccurate, according to the game’s governing body World Rugby.
Referees at the World Cup in France this month have been seen without any wristwatches, leading to speculation that there has been a bust-up between the officials, the governing body and Tudor.
New Zealand tech website Stuff first reported a dispute between the parties that led referees to remove their watches during matches.
Stuff’s article speculates that the fall out came about after one of the refs from the 2019 World Cup in Japan went on to sell his watch following that tournament.
Tudor has not commented on the controversy, but World Rugby has issued a statement that flatly denies there has been any rift.
“World Rugby and Tudor enjoy a fantastic relationship,” the organisation states.
“Media reports suggest that there is a dispute over the provision of watches for Rugby World Cup 2023 are completely inaccurate.
“It was agreed well in advance of the tournament that Tudor would not provide new watches (having provided them at the beginning of the partnership), but that referees could wear their existing Tudor watches or their usual electronic performance devices.
“Tudor is also proud to partner on the Shot Clocks in the stadia, which are an essential tool for match officials,” the statement from World Rugby concludes.
Tudor is promoting two sports watches as part of its partnership with the Rugby World Cup and with the New Zealand All Blacks; one, a Black Bay Pro ($4,225), the other a Black Bay Chrono ($5,550).
