In a shocking incident, referee Nika Amashukeli faced a terrifying attack after officiating the heated England vs. Australia rugby match. The Georgian referee was stabbed in the leg by an assailant who managed to escape and remains unidentified. Despite this traumatising experience, Amashukeli has shown remarkable resilience, continuing his career in rugby officiating with great passion.
Amashukeli’s journey into refereeing began after an early love for football and a short-lived career playing rugby at youth levels. A series of injuries transitioned him from playing to officiating, where he’s made significant strides. He became the first Georgian to ref a Tier One game and has officiated in some of rugby’s most prestigious competitions, including the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup.
The stabbing incident dates back to a game in 2016 in Georgia’s top rugby league. A miscommunication about the game time led to chaos post-match, resulting in Amashukeli being attacked. He showed immense courage, making a full recovery and choosing to persevere in the game he loves. His passion for rugby has seen him grow into one of the sport’s trusted officials, demonstrating that no setback is too great to overcome when driven by passion and dedication.