# RugbyREF — Referee (On-Field)

> Rugby referee game management assistant for Apple Watch and iPhone. (iPhone/iPad app by SketchNZ.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rugbyref/id1488060220 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [SketchNZ](https://appshunter.io/developer/1660500276)
- Category: Sports, Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 1.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.6 · 56 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2019-11-24
- Data updated: 2026-08-16
- Monetization: subscription
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rugbyref/id1488060220/reviews.md

## What is RugbyREF?

RugbyREF is a Professional Rugby Union Referee Game Management App, built by an accredited Rugby Referee for Referees who need speed, accuracy and clarity during live matches.

Originally launched in 2018, RugbyREF has evolved into a subscription-based game management system for Apple Watch and iPhone, designed to replace paper cards, manual notes and separate stopwatches with a faster match-day workflow. RugbyREF supports club, school and representative fixtures with practical tools for managing time, scoring, cards, penalties and match records from kickoff to full-time.

CORE FEATURES: SidelineMANAGER on iPhone:
• Main game timer with start, pause and stoppage control
• Full scoring for tries, conversions, penalty goals, drop goals and penalty tries
• Yellow and red card tracking with player numbers
• Shot clock and penalty count support
• First half, second half and full-time match control
• Match archive and review tools
• Clean referee-first layout for live match environments

APPLE WATCH EXPERIENCE
• Custom team setup
• Game timer and score at a glance
• Fast scoring and penalty tracking
• Yellow and red card recording
• Shot clock support
• Apple Watch to iPhone sync with supported subscriptions
• Designed for speed, clarity and minimal interaction on the run

iPHONE COMPANION
• Sideline match overview
• Match event tracking
• Card countdown and player tracking
• Saved game archive
• WatchSync review and sharing tools

SUBSCRIPTIONS: RugbyREF offers subscription options for referees who want Apple Watch match tools, iPhone SidelineMANAGER tools, or the full RugbyREF package with WatchSync and archive support.

Available subscriptions include:
• Monthly subscription
• Annual subscription

Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account upon confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period.

You can manage or cancel your subscription in Apple Account Settings after purchase.
Terms of Use: https://www.rugbyref.app/eula/
Privacy Policy: https://www.rugbyref.app/privacy/

## Key features

- Live match control
- Scoring and substitutions management
- Card tracking with timers
- Shot clock functionality
- Apple Watch integration
- Injury and TMO support

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Subscription | $11.49 | per year |
| Subscription | $2.99 | per month |
| RugbyREF (Basic) | $3.99 | per month |
| RugbyREF (Basic) | $29.99 | per year |
| MyRugbyREF (Package) | $4.99 | per month |
| MyRugbyREF (Package) | $34.99 | per year |
| RugbyREF WatchAPP | $3.99 | per month |
| RugbyREF WatchAPP | $29.99 | per year |


## Recent user reviews (7 of 7)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rugbyref/id1488060220/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Poor performance

*2024-09-04*

Too difficult to reduce the number of scores if added by mistake. Touch controls are ridiculously small for even small fingers.

### 3/5 — Great potential but

*2022-05-14*

Great app but rugby league scoring is wrong. It is the same as union scoring change this and it will be great

### 5/5 — Best Rugby Referee App

*2022-05-13, version 19*

This is by far the best rugby referee app I’ve come across! It’s super easy to use. Keeps your score, penalty count and even allows you to record yellow/red cards with a run down timer where applicable. Highly recommend 👍🏼

### 5/5 — Great app to use while on field!

*2022-05-09, version 19*

Really rate the amount of functions within the app. Penalty count is easy to use. Details around scoring is easy to use - Try, conversion, Penalty Kick. Definitely been using the Yellow Card function a lot this season and it has a seperate timer for this which comes in really handy! Overall good app and where I’ve had any bugs the developer has been very helpful in submitting updates to fix. 👍🏻

### 4/5 — Good ! A suggestion ?1

*2022-04-03*

Great app to referee.
I use it every Sunday.

Would it be possible to add a vibration when time is OFF to remember to turn it back on ?

### 1/5 — Unintuitive and won’t unlock Pro version on watch

*2022-04-01, version 19*

Just can’t get this to work on the apple watch  and the phone screen is just awful to use. Sorry but I can’t use this.

### 1/5 — Poor to look at and operate

*2022-03-04*

We have a neat idea here but execution is lacking. The screen is all squished together on the phone with no ability to scroll any of the sections. As a result you cannot enter a second team and cannot see the full button for the annual subscription (not that you would buy based on current functionality).

## Frequently asked questions about RugbyREF

### What is RugbyREF?

RugbyREF is a practical game management app designed for rugby referees. It functions as an on-field assistant for Apple Watch and iPhone, helping manage scoring, substitutions, cards, and timers.

### What devices does RugbyREF support?

RugbyREF is optimized for iOS 17 and supports iPhone X or later, as well as Apple Watch Series 2 and above. It operates in portrait mode only.

### How much does RugbyREF cost?

RugbyREF offers subscription plans at $2.99 per month or $11.49 per year. The app is free to download, but these subscription tiers unlock its full functionality.

### Does RugbyREF have ads?

No, RugbyREF does not contain advertisements. The app is ad-free, allowing for an uninterrupted user experience during matches.

### How often is RugbyREF updated?

The latest version, 25, was released on October 31, 2025. The app is actively tested and refined in real match scenarios, indicating regular updates for stability and accuracy.

### What are the key features of RugbyREF?

Key features include live match control, scoring and substitution management, card timers, a shot clock, and support for injury and TMO calls. The Apple Watch app focuses on simplicity and timer accuracy.

### Is RugbyREF suitable for all ages?

RugbyREF has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger users. The app's focus is on game management for referees.

### Does RugbyREF collect personal data?

No, RugbyREF explicitly states that it collects no personal data. Users can view the Privacy Policy and EULA for more details on data handling.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 26.24 — 2026-08-11

Update/Fix for WatchSYNC

### 26 — 2026-07-17

RugbyREF Pro26 introduces major match-management updates for Apple Watch and iPhone.

• Custom team setup on Apple Watch
• Improved Apple Watch scoring, timers and card workflow
• WatchSync support to send match data to iPhone
• Full SidelineMANAGER tools on iPhone
• Saved Games Archive for match review
• Improved timer accuracy, background handling and match restore logic

### 25 — 2025-10-31

App Stability & Timer Accuracy, Updated SidelineManager functionality

### 24 — 2025-07-29

Paused Timer Improvement

### 23 — 2025-07-25

WATCH Timer Stability and Extended BG Functionality

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## More apps by SketchNZ

- [LeagueREF](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/leagueref/id1492889395)
- [MyREF](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/myref/id6499398306)
- [CardReview](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cardreview/id6737652838)

All apps by SketchNZ: https://appshunter.io/developer/1660500276

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-16.*