Trailblazer Jones to officiate at historic Vegas international

World Cup star Tara Jones has been appointed to officiate in the Australia-England match in Las Vegas less than 18 months after her last international appearance.

Jones, who played 14 internationals for England, will be a touch judge for this weekend’s historic women’s match at Allegiant Stadium.

NRL referee Belinda Sharpe will control the match, with Jones and fellow English official Liam Moore to be the touch judges.

The appointment follows the 28-year-old’s decision to turn down an opportunity to be a member of the officiating squad for the last World Cup in 2022 in a bid to win selection for England.

After hanging up her boots at the end of last season, Jones became the first woman to join the RFL’s full-time panel of match officials.

Jones has been playing since a young age and took up refereeing after turning 12 and no longer being able to play alongside boys, as there weren’t always enough girls to form a team.

She has since gone on to referee Challenge Cup matches and been a touch judge in Super League, while helping St Helens to Women’s Super League and Challenge Cup glory in 2019.

Her most recent England appearance was against France in 2023.

Jones said she drew inspiration from the appointment of NRL referees Belinda Sharpe and Kasey Badger to control men's fixtures at the World Cup in England.

Sharpe refereed the England v Greece match, while Badger became the first woman to control a men’s international when she was given charge of the Wales v Tonga clash.  

“When I saw it announced that Kasey was refereeing the game and she was the first [female], and then Belinda followed, I just thought this is phenomenal,” Jones told NRL.com at the time.

“There has just been such great progress in the game and more females being in the spotlight.

“I know the women’s game from a playing point of view is progressing massively and that has kind of taken off, but also from an officiating point of view it is just showing that the game is so inclusive and that girls can go and do it too.

“I was really made up for Kasey and Belinda and proud of them because I just think we are setting the pathway for future girls as officials, or just in the game in general.

“It shows other girls you can go and do it as well.”