Craig Joubert retires from refereeing 15s

1:41 PM GMT

Craig Joubert has retired from refereeing 15s to take up a role at World Rugby.

Joubert, who refereed the 2011 Rugby World Cup final, will continue on the sevens circuit but steps away from the 15s game.

He joins World Rugby -- reporting into sevens and 15s high performance referees managers, Paddy O'Brien and Alain Rolland, respectively - in a role focused on referee talent identification and coaching.

"This was not a decision I took lightly given the obvious lure of possibly refereeing the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand next year as well as the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019," Joubert said.

"However, the opportunity to make a difference in other peoples' careers and lives is something which I'm excited about. It really is a dream job.

"Over the past few years I have taken Rasta Rasivhenge under my wing and have mentored and coached him and it has been enormously rewarding to see him grow as a person and as a referee.

"This position gives me the opportunity to play a more formal role in sharing my experiences and developing referees and to have a positive influence on the lives and careers of other young referees.

"I am also thrilled that I will continue to referee on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series as we build our team of referees towards the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. I love the sevens environment and being a part of this very special team."

Joubert has vast experience in refereeing 15 and has presided over 69 Tests since his took charge of his first international back in 2003 when he refereed Nambia's game against Uganda.

The pinnacle of his refereeing career saw him take charge of the 2011 World Cup final but four years later he was in the spotlight at the 2015 World Cup for his controversial late call to award Australia a penalty in their quarter-final which saw Scotland knocked out of the tournament. It was a call World Rugby later clarified as incorrect.

But he now joins the game's governing body to help bring through the next generation of referees.

World Rugby match officials selection committee chairman Anthony Buchanan said: "I would like to thank Craig for his dedication and service throughout a wonderful refereeing career.

"He has been a world-class referee for many years now and has officiated at the very highest levels of the game in both 15s and sevens.

"It has been a pleasure to work with him during his active refereeing career and I have no doubt he will continue to contribute to the game in his new position.

"I expect his vast experience and his extensive knowledge of the game will be a huge asset to us as we continue to develop the world's top match officials."

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Craig Joubert retires from refereeing 15s