Kerry Fitzgerald
Kerry Fitzgerald (c. 1948 – 18 December 1991) was an Australian rugby union referee best known for officiating in the first Rugby World Cup Final in 1987.
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Refereeing career
Kerry Fitzgerald took up refereeing in 1977, making his international debut in 1984 in a match between New Zealand and Fiji in Suva.[1] He refereed 24 test matches in his career.
For the first Rugby World Cup in 1987 he was one of two Australian referees selected. Fitzgerald created controversy during a semifinal between New Zealand and Wales when he sent off Welsh player Huw Richards after he had been knocked unconscious. He went on to referee the 1987 Rugby World Cup Final|World Cup Final.[1]
Kerry also refereed 886 matches for the Queensland Rugby Referees' Association and 53 Provincial and State matches against touring teams.
Kerry refereed the Brisbane First Grade Grand Final seven times, these being 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990 & 1991.
International Tests
Kerry refereed in 24 International Tests, they were:
| Test No. | Year | Match |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1984 | Fiji v New Zealand |
| 2 | 1985 | Ireland v France |
| 3 | 1985 | Wales v Ireland |
| 4 | 1985 | New Zealand v England |
| 5 | 1985 | Argentina v New Zealand |
| 6 | 1985 | Argentina v New Zealand |
| 7 | 1986 | USA v Japan |
| 8 | 1987 | Wales v Ireland |
| 9 | 1987 | England v USA |
| 10 | 1987 | New Zealand v Wales |
| 11 | 1987 | New Zealand v France (RWC Final) |
| 12 | 1987 | Fiji v England |
| 13 | 1989 | Scotland v Ireland |
| 14 | 1989 | Wales v England |
| 15 | 1989 | ANZACS v British Lions |
| 16 | 1989 | South Africa v World XV |
| 17 | 1990 | Canada v Argentina |
| 18 | 1990 | USA v Argentina |
| 19 | 1990 | Australia v USA |
| 20 | 1991 | France v Wales |
| 21 | 1991 | Scotland v Ireland |
| 22 | 1991 | Fiji v Canada |
| 23 | 1991 | New Zealand v Italy |
| 24 | 1991 | England v Scotland |
Death
Fitzgerald collapsed and died in his office on 18 December 1991.[2]
Kerry Fitzgerald Medal
The Kerry Fitzgerald Medal is awarded to QRRA(Brisbane) Referees on the occasion of their international test debut.
The Citation for the medal reads:
Kerry Fitzgerald was an esteemed member of the Association. It was he that pioneered what we now call "Preventative Rugby" and he that had that unique ability to manage the game on the field and be considered as doing it very well whilst remaining the 31st Man. His career was cut short whilst he was in his prime and his passing was a sad loss to all of those involved in Rugby. This medal was originally awarded to a First Grade Referee but now recognises a QRRA(Brisbane) referee in his/her First International Appointment.[3]
Current presentations listed are[4]:
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Andrew Cole |
| 1998 | Andrew Cole |
| 1999 | Pat Rae |
| 2000 | Pat Rae |
| 2001 | Paul Marks |
| 2002 | Rodd Brockett |
| 2003 | Greg Hinton |
| 2004 | Greg Hinton |
| 2007 | Paul Marks |
| 2009 | Stephen Hill |
It is not clear on how certain referees have been awarded twice, perhaps one is a 7's debut or a second tier international, and the other is a full International.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Joubert joins exclusive club". SA Rugby Referees. 20 October 2011. http://www.sareferees.co.za/news/ref_news/2811704.htm. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ↑ "Fitzgerald dies". New Strait Times. 19 December 1991. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zZVUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R5ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=1988,1533773. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- ↑ http://www.qrrabrisbane.rugbynet.com.au/verve/_resources/qrra_kerry_fitzgerald_medal.doc
- ↑ Kerry Fitzgerald Medal Winners http://www.qrrabrisbane.rugbynet.com.au/verve/_resources/Kerry_Fitzgerald_Medal.pdf
