Ben O'Keeffe

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Ben O'Keeffe
Autumn Nations Series '24- Italia vs Georgia-53-Migliorato-NR (54158604595).jpg
O'Keeffe during the Autumn Nation Series 2024
BornBenjamin Dennis O'Keeffe
(1989-01-03) 3 January 1989 (age 36)
Blenheim, New Zealand
School Marlborough Boys' College
University University of Otago
Notable relative Michael O'Keeffe (brother)
Occupation
  • Professional rugby referee
Rugby union career
Refereeing career
YearsCompetitionApps
2013– NPC 64
2014 Junior World Championship 4
2015– Super Rugby 101
2016– Test matches 52
2019–2023 Rugby World Cup 8
2021 British and Irish Lions Series 2
2023 Top 14 1

Benjamin Dennis O'Keeffe (born 3 January 1989) is a rugby union referee from New Zealand. He currently referees at domestic, Super Rugby and test match level and holds the record for most first-class games, Super Rugby and test matches officiated by a New Zealand referee. [1]

Contents

Domestic career

O'Keeffe became a professional referee for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) in 2013 having started officiating in 2008 at the age of 19. [2]

In 2014, he started to appear at Super Rugby level as an assistant referee, before going on to be selected by World Rugby for the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship. [3]

He continued to referee at domestic level that year, before being selected for the 2015 Super Rugby season on 27 January 2015. [4] He made his debut during the second round of the tournament, taking charge of the Highlanders vs Crusaders clash on 21 February as a late call up for injured referee Chris Pollock. [5]

After the 2023 Super Rugby Final he came under severe social media criticism which included death threats in which he posted a public statement against. This was well received and supported by numerous rugby organisations including New Zealand Rugby. [6] [7] [8]

He was recipient of New Zealand Referee of the year awards in 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. [9]

On January 28, 2023, he made his first referee appearance in Top 14 match between Racing 92 and Stade Rochelais. [10]

International career

O'Keeffe during the 2017 Super Rugby competition 2017.07.08.20.19.37-WARvJAG (35638551742).jpg
O'Keeffe during the 2017 Super Rugby competition

In 2016, O'Keeffe made his Six Nations Championship debut on 7 February as assistant referee in the Ireland vs Wales match, then Italy vs England the following weekend. [11]

He was selected as the youngest referee at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and went on to referee three pool play games as well as assistant referee in the knock out stages. [12] He was widely praised for his handling in the final pool match of the tournament; the historic 28-21 win by host nations Japan over Scotland. [13]

O'Keeffe in action in the Autumn Nations Cup Autumn Nations Series '24- Italia vs Georgia-558-Migliorato-NR (54158978260).jpg
O'Keeffe in action in the Autumn Nations Cup

O'Keeffe was selected to referee the second test of the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa in 2021. [14]

He refereed his 50th and record test match in the 2025 6 Nations fixture between Ireland and England. [15]

Personal life

O'Keeffe grew up in Blenheim, New Zealand and attended Marlborough Boys' College where he was head boy in 2006. [16]

O'Keeffe's brother, Michael O'Keeffe, represented New Zealand at the 2012 London Olympics in football.

References

  1. ↑ ZB (20 February 2025). "Ben O'Keeffe set to break Paddy O'Brien's refereeing record". ZB. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  2. ↑ McConnell, Lynn (28 January 2016). "O'Keeffe reaps reward for career choice". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  3. ↑ "Jackson, Fraser, Pollock, Briant and O'Keeffe in IRB referee selections". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. 2 April 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  4. ↑ Robinson, Georgina; Johnstone, Duncan (26 January 2015). "Super Rugby referees announced, call up for Kiwi Ben O'Keeffe". Stuff . Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  5. ↑ "O'Keeffe to make referee debut as late call-up - Sanzar". super.rugby. SANZAAR. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa: Specsavers Referee Appointments FINAL". superrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  7. ↑ Knowler, Richard (15 June 2022). "Referee Ben O'Keeffe must remain calm in eye of Super Rugby Pacific final storm". Stuff . Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  8. ↑ ""Outstanding": O'Keeffe turns page for referees following "contentious" 2022 season". www.sen.com.au. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "Black Ferns sweep NZ Rugby Awards". The New Zealand Herald . 11 December 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  10. ↑ "Compositions de Racing 92 - Stade Rochelais - J16 - 2022-2023 | Top 14 - Site Officiel". Ligue Nationale de Rugby (in French). Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  11. ↑ "RBS Six Nations 2016". World Rugby Officiating. World Rugby. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017.
  12. ↑ "Match officials selected for RWC 2019: introducing Team 21" (Press release). World Rugby. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  13. ↑ "A rare pat on the back for a World Cup referee". The Roar. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  14. ↑ "Referees named for Castle Lager Lions Series". SA Rugby. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  15. ↑ SA Sports Press (3 February 2025). Referee Ben O'Keeffe on his 50th test in Dublin . Retrieved 20 February 2025– via YouTube.
  16. ↑ Herselman, Sven (19 June 2014). "It's a big night for former MBC head boy". Stuff . Retrieved 15 April 2021.
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