Ian Roger Vanderfield AO OBE (1928 – 25 September 2008) was an Australian doctor, and a rugby union referee and administrator.
Vanderfield refereed over 1200 games, including 32 test matches and internationals.
In the 1980s, Vanderfield was variously President of the New South Wales Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union.
As chairman of the International Rugby Board Vanderfield was instrumental in establishing the first Rugby World Cup. The A...
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Ian Roger Vanderfield AO OBE (1928 – 25 September 2008) was an Australian doctor, and a rugby union referee and administrator.
Vanderfield refereed over 1200 games, including 32 test matches and internationals.
In the 1980s, Vanderfield was variously President of the New South Wales Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union.
As chairman of the International Rugby Board Vanderfield was instrumental in establishing the first Rugby World Cup. The Australia and New Zealand Rugby Unions had launched a joint proposal to introduce a World Cup. There was reluctance from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Vanderfield flew to South Africa at his own expense and convinced SARU not to vote against the proposal. South Africa abstained and other unions came on board. Eventually the proposal was adopted by eight votes to six.
A doctor by profession, Vanderfield graduated from the University of Sydney in 1952 and was a member of the Faculty of Medicine from 1973 to 1991. He was the Chief Medical...
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