Walsh whistles into Rugby World Cup quarters

Steve Walsh, who briefly quit refereeing two years ago, will referee England's quarter-final against France at Eden Park on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

Steve Walsh's refereeing renaissance continues with his Rugby World Cup selection to control England's quarter-final against France at Eden Park on Saturday.

Two years ago Walsh quit New Zealand and refereeing after his third strike for misbehaviour, claiming he was not getting enough help for his drinking issues.

He resurfaced in Sydney, returned to refereeing and won selection for his fourth World Cup.

Walsh has been joined by fellow Kiwi Bryce Lawrence, South African Craig Joubert and Welshman Nigel Owens as the four men to control the sudden-death section.

Lawrence was involved in the last World Cup but only as a touch judge and television match official so his promotion is impressive.

Likewise Joubert, who was also a touch judge and tmo in the 2007 tournament in France.

Owens was in charge of four matches in 2007 but in this event was not seeded to make the playoffs cut.

However the quartet clearly have edged ahead in the jostling to control matches deeper in the tournament although there may yet be a wildcard.

Irish whistler Alain Rolland has missed this cut and while there is no explanation from the World Cup committee, it seems he is being kept fresh for at least a semifinal appointment.

Rolland controlled the last World Cup final in Paris and has been in strong form in four pool matches at this tournament.

While Rolland's reappearance looks inevitable later in the tournament, there are some notable stumbles.

New Zealand's least favoured official Wayne Barnes has been ignored after several modest matches.

That decision will please many in this nation who have been unable to forgive the barrister for his performance in the All Blacks' quarter-final loss to France in 2007.

The world's most experienced referee, South African Jonathan Kaplan, has also been overlooked. While his omission may be surprising so is the retention of Owens.

He controlled three matches soundly but then lost his way in the volatile match between Samoa and the Springboks, sending off Paul Williams and sinbinning John Smit. However Owens has been retained ahead of Rolland and Kaplan for the playoffs.

The IRB referees boss Paddy O'Brien said that his officials had aimed for consistency, "penalising the clear and obvious and tackling the 'big five' areas".

"The extensive performance review of all 40 matches included coach, match official and performance reviewer feedback and we are very happy with the way that the group has worked together to collectively achieve the goals set.

"Accuracy in decision-making is our top priority. We will continue to work as a unit to achieve the high standards that have collectively been set and maintain a zero-tolerance attitude towards infringements across the key areas of the game."

The six referees who missed the quarters cut, Barnes, Rolland, Kaplan, George Clancy, Dave Pearson and Romain Poite, will work as touch judges during the knockout games.

The refereeing appointments were made after performance reviews across the 40 pool games.

Giulio De Santis (Italy) and Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) have been selected as the two specialist television match officials.

The officials who made the World Cup refereeing choices, under advice from O'Brien, were David Pickering, (Wales), Tappe Henning (South Africa), Kevin Bowring (England), Bob Francis (New Zealand), Stephen Hilditch (Ireland) and Michel Lamoulie (France).

The quarters

Ireland v Wales
Wellington, 6pm Saturday
Craig Joubert (South Africa)

England v France
Eden Park, 8.30pm Saturday
Steve Walsh (Australia)

South Africa v Australia
Wellington, 6pm Sunday
Bryce Lawrence (NZ)

All Blacks v Argentina
Eden Park, 8.30pm Sunday
Nigel Owens (Wales).