Nik’a Amashuk’eli

Nika Amashukeli is a Georgian rugby union and World Rugby referee.

Background In his early youth, Amashukeli played soccer. Amashukeli watched his first ever full rugby match on TV during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, when his father "literally forced" Head injuries affected his mental health at that time; eventually he decided to retire from playing.

Refereeing career In 2013 Georgian Rugby Union started a program aimed at improving the standard of Georgian referees; a new relationship with IRFU has started. This included Irish referees regularly officiating Georgian domestic league matches, Georgian referees officiating All-Ireland League matches and attending IRFU workshops. Amashukeli was among the first young referees recruited through this program in 2013. His first match in Ireland was between Old Christians and St Mary's in the Munster Junior League.

Amashukeli made his test debut as a referee in the Montenegro v Estonia European Nations Cup Third Division match on 11 April 2015; he refereed the 1st half and was replaced by Shota Tevzadze at half-time.

In 2019 he attracted rugby followers' attention when during the U20 Six Nations match he was temporarily substituted after a blood injury. Amashukeli left the field, stitched the cutting and returned in 12 minutes to finish the match.

Highlight of Amashukeli's career was 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Argentina, where World Rugby was highly impressed with emerging Georgian talent as afterwards he got appointments from Joël Jutge to referee in EPCR competitions. Amashukeli himself admits that Joël Jutge had an invaluable positive influence on his career.

In 2020 Amashukeli launched a Facebook page named "Rugby Laboratory" where he posts videos explaining basics of rugby laws to new supporters of the game.

In 2021 Amashukeli had a successful debut in July internationals, having officiated on Wales v Canada match, first ever Georgian to do tier 1 nations game. His second match Romania v Scotland was called off due to COVID-19 restrictions. Amashukeli's pathway continued through as he got top level appointments on November internationals, set to officiate in Ireland v Japan, French Barbarians v Tonga and Wales v Australia matches.

Amashukeli is coached and mentored by David McHugh, who is employed by Georgian Rugby Union as a Head of Referees Committee.

In February 2023, Amashukeli was included in World Rugby's list of candidates to be a referee at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. On 10 May 2023 he was selected as a referee in the list of match officials for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

He will also referee the 2024–25 European Rugby Champions Cup Final

List of Tier 1 tests Since 2021, Amashukeli has regularly been appointed to test matches involving Tier 1 national teams. The list below includes all of his Tier 1 test appointments in Six Nations, Rugby Championship and international tours.