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Referee Nigel Owens, who is in New Zealand to officiate the second Bledisloe Cup test in Dunedin, took to the turf at St Peter’s College in Auckland on Wednesday to officiate a friendly under-15’s match between St Peter’s College and a Japanese touring side.
Owens has refereed many big rugby matches over the years, including the Rugby World Cup final in 2015 between the All Blacks and Wallabies.
The last time Owens refereed a match was in June when England played Argentina and the 46-year-old said it was good to blow away some of those cob webs.
“I was glad it was 30-minutes each way, wouldn’t want to be doing 80 before Saturday but it was very good,” he said.
“I enjoy refereeing any level so when you get a chance to give back it is always fun.”
“In saying that these boys expect me to referee this match as good as I will on Saturday, if not better, so you have to come in and referee the game for them.”
After the match Owens said “They were all very good (players).”
“I’m quite surprised all the parents on the touchline were quite quiet as well.”
The match was not without controversy however, with Owens calling two attempted St Peter’s tries held up.
However, despite the home side going down 24-19, players from both teams mobbed Owens after the match to have a chat and grab a photo with the man who will hold the whistle on Saturday night.
Source
- Stuff
- The New Zealand Herald
- TVNZ
- Image: Stuff
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