Roger Vanderfield refereed well over 1,000 rugby matches, including 13 tests and 18 other international matches. His greatest achievement in the sport, however, was his work in establishing the Rugby World Cup.

A hospital medical superintendent by profession, Vanderfield chaired the famous annual meeting of the International Rugby Football Board in Paris in March 1985 that voted 8-6 in favour of the tournament’s creation. Vanderfield’s support for the tournament was crucial amid much opposition.

In his youth, Vanderfield played rugby for Briars and Sydney University. He began refereeing as a fifth year medical student, to maintain fitness, before being persuaded to take up the whistle full-time. He officiated in his first test in 1956 and enjoyed 18 years at the top.

Vanderfield became president of the Australian Rugby Union and chairman of the International Rugby Football Board, and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2006 for his services to health care and rugby.