/ 2 November 1999

WATSON TO REF FINAL

SOUTH African Andre Watson will referee Saturday’s World Cup final between Australia and France at the Millennium Stadium, tournament officials announced Monday. Watson’s touch judges will be Ed Morrison, of England, who refereed the 1995 final between South Africa and New Zealand in Johannesburg, and Paddy OBrien of New Zealand. Watson, a professional referee with the South African Rugby Union, is officiating at his first World Cup tournament. The third-place playoff between South Africa v New Zealand on Thursday will be refereed by Australias Peter Marshall with touch judges Wayne Erickson, also of Australia, and Jim Fleming of Scotland.