Jerome Garces replaced by Wayne Barnes as referee for first Bledisloe Cup Test

  • 15/08/2017
Jerome Garces
Jerome Garces Photo credit: Getty Images

England's Wayne Barnes has replaced Jerome Garces as the referee for Saturday's opening Bledisloe Cup clash between the All Blacks and Wallabies in Sydney.

Garces suffered a calf injury while refereeing a friendly match between French Top 14 sides Bayonne and Racing 92 last weekend and has been forced to withdraw as a result.

He will be replaced by Wayne Barnes, with Wales' Nigel Owens coming in as assistant referee. The following week, Barnes will perform the role of assistant referee, with Owens taking over refereeing duties.

The Frenchman, who sent Sonny Bill Williams off in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions, is set to be fit and take charge of the October 7 clash between the All Blacks and South Africa in Cape Town.

Newshub.