When the Rebels host the Fijian Drua at AAMI Park on Friday night, there will be a local on debut that can thank the Victorian pathway for their ascension to the big stage.
Referee Amber McLachlan will become the first Victorian to be appointed as an Assistant Referee for a Super Rugby match when the Rebels run out onto the Stockade.
The occasion also marks only the second time an Australian female has achieved the feat, following in the footsteps of Amy Perret.
“Doing my first Super Rugby assistant referee appointment at AAMI Park is quite special,” acknowledged an excited McLachlan.
“I have refereed a few local exhibition games and Super W on the pitch before, as well as being a subs station manager for Super Rugby and the Australia v France Test Match in 2021.”
Keen eyed spectators will be familiar with McLachlan’s work, after recent refereeing roles in the Super W, as well as being a permanent fixture in the Dewar Shield.
“The referee community within Victoria have been extremely supportive along my journey. It’s made me proud to represent them,” says McLachlan.
“I have had a number of congratulatory texts from throughout the referee community which has been nice to receive.
The hard work doesn’t stop on Friday night though, with McLachlan scheduled to head north next month to be a referee for the last two rounds of the Women's 6 Nations on April 24 and 30.
The Victorian refereeing community will have an extra reason to be excited, with Oliver Kellett also appointed as Television Match Official (TMO) for the same match on Friday.
This will be Oli's second appointment as a Super Rugby TMO.
Both Amber and Oli will oversee Dewar Shield fixtures again in 2022.
