All Blacks: Northern refs to rule over tests

Alain Rolland lays down the law to Richie McCaw during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Photo / Richard Robinson

The referee appointments for the inaugural Rugby Championship have been released, and five of the All Blacks' six encounters will be controlled by Northern Hemisphere referees.

New Zealand's opening and closing matches will be controlled by Irish referee Alain Rolland, with Nigel Owens, Romain Poite and George Clancy whistling the tests in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin respectively.

South African Jaco Peyper will oversee the All Blacks' match in Argentina.

Only three New Zealand officials will be involved the tournament. Glen Jackson will serve twice as an assistant referee, while Vinny Munro and Ben Skeen have been appointed as TMOs.