Rugby: Kiwi to ref first Lions test

New Zealander Bryce Lawrence has been appointed to referee the first rugby test between the British and Irish Lions and South Africa in Durban on June 20.

The International Rugby Board also announced today that Christophe Berdos of France will take charge of the second test in Pretoria on June 27 and Australian Stuart Dickinson for the third test in Johannesburg on July 4.

The trio will form a neutral test panel that will also include specialist assistant referee Vinny Munro of New Zealand for the first Lions matches in South Africa for 12 years.

IRB referee manager Paddy O'Brien said Bryce, Christophe and Stuart are all highly experienced members of the IRB's high performance referee panel with nearly 80 internationals between them.

"They are relishing the opportunity to take their place in Lions history," the New Zealander said.

- NZPA