**Lions v Argentina: Referee James Doleman Faces Scrutiny Over Controversial Rugby Past**
Rugby fans across the globe will turn their attention to Dublin this evening as the British & Irish Lions launch their summer campaign against Argentina, competing for the coveted 1888 Cup. While excitement swirls around the new series and what it means for the Wallabies clash in Australia, the limelight has also shifted toward the match’s appointed referee—New Zealander James Doleman—whose officiating career has not been without its storms.
Doleman, originally hailing from the coastal city of Tauranga in New Zealand, carries a unique background, having spent parts of his formative years living in the Philippines and China. It was during his student days that he first picked up the whistle, taking charge of an under-nines fixture at a Hong Kong school tournament when he was just 16. Although the memory draws a self-deprecating laugh from Doleman—he has admitted he thought he was “rubbish” in that early try-out—it was to be the start of an impressive rise through rugby’s refereeing ranks.
His credentials grew rapidly as he oversaw the final at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in 2019, before stepping up to Super Rugby the following year. He gained further prominence with his international debut and was soon entrusted with high-profile matches, notably officiating the first Test between England and Australia in the 2022 mid-year series.
In the 2023 Six Nations, Doleman made his tournament debut when he refereed England’s clash against Italy. He expressed his pride in representing New Zealand on such a prestigious European stage, sharing that Six Nations duty had long been one of his personal ambitions as an official—rivalled in significance only by the Rugby World Cup. As he once remarked, “Referees get into it because we love the sport, and these major tournaments are what keep us coming back.”
Not all of Doleman’s high-profile matches have gone without controversy. During the aforementioned England-Australia Test, former England coach Eddie Jones criticised Doleman for his handling of proceedings after the Wallabies went down to 14 men. Australia’s Darcy Swain saw red for headbutting Jonny Hill, yet despite the numerical disadvantage, the Wallabies pulled off an unlikely victory—leading Jones to imply the referee had tried to “even things up” in response to the sending-off. Jones publicly voiced his frustration, stating that referees often “balance” the game after a red card, which, in his view, England failed to adapt to strategically.
The most startling incident to shadow Doleman’s refereeing career, however, was the infamous “throat-slitting” gesture made by Hurricanes and All Blacks star Ardie Savea. The episode unfolded during a heated Super Rugby clash between the Melbourne Rebels and Savea’s Hurricanes. A scuffle devolved into chaos shortly before half-time, with Savea at the centre—having just been penalised for another infringement, he was sin-binned for his role in escalating tensions and, as he was leaving the pitch, responded to taunts from an opponent by making the widely condemned gesture.
The sporting world reacted with shock. Microphones around the stadium captured an official exclaiming that Savea had issued a grave threat, while commentators were quick to condemn the unsporting behaviour. In the aftermath, Savea apologised for the highly publicised act, acknowledging its inappropriateness, especially with young fans watching. He admitted the heat of the moment got the better of him, and there was “no excuse”, as rugby continues to work on cleaning up its image and removing such unsavoury moments from the game.
Tonight, as the Lions and Argentina square up in Dublin, James Doleman steps onto the pitch backed by a panel of assistant referees Nika Amashukeli from Georgia and Andrea Piardi from Italy, with Eric Gauzins of France serving as TMO. The spotlight not only rests on the players fighting for starting shirts, but also on Doleman as he seeks to guide what is likely to be a fiercely competitive opener.
Referees hold a unique role, often balancing athletic drama with split-second interpretation of the laws. As Doleman himself has noted in interviews, officials are first and foremost passionate rugby fans. The Lions’ fixture marks another chance for Doleman to demonstrate his steady hand—and perhaps an opportunity to write new headlines away from controversy.
For all the spectacle and drama fans are sure to witness on the pitch, it’s often the men in the middle whose split-second decisions leave a lasting mark on rugby’s rich and unpredictable history. As tonight’s game unfolds, all eyes will be on both the rising stars and the man trusted to keep the peace—making it a night of both promise and pressure.