Rugby: Referee's rapid rise is by the book

Taneika Uerata, 16, has already refereed an NPC women's match between Auckland and Bay of Plenty. Photo / John Borren

Taneika Uerata's rapid rise up the women's refereeing ranks has seen her officiate an NPC match between Auckland and Bay of Plenty in Whakatane this winter.

Not bad for a 16-year-old who first picked up a whistle two years ago. The Papamoa College student ended up refereeing by chance but is pleased she did.

"I was playing rugby for Te Puke High School then I moved to Rotorua Lakes High School, but they didn't have a rugby team so my mum suggested refereeing. I got into it and liked it. It is fun," Taneika said.

Rather than be put off by the hefty rugby union rule book, Taneika has enjoyed learning all the different applications.

"It has been quite interesting. The referees have meetings once a week and we discuss scrums, lineouts and go through them step by step. My referee coaches have been helpful. Last year I had Malcolm Langdon and he was good, while this year I have had Brett Johnson, the ITM Cup referee. He has been very helpful and what he has been getting from up the top he has been passing down to me. [Bay of Plenty Rugby referee manager] Pat Rae has done a lot for me and for the referees this year."

The call-up to referee the NPC clash between Bay of Plenty and Auckland came out of the blue for Taneika. A Super 8 Second XV game between Tauranga Boys' College and Hamilton Boys' was the biggest game she had done prior to this so it was a major step up.

There were nerves, of course, but Taneika has the ideal personality for a referee, as she does not get fazed by the occasion or the age of the players.

"I did not know it was coming so I was a bit nervous about it," she said. "When I got to the ground I settled down and was not as nervous. I talked to the captains before the game, setting my standards and telling them what I want. The game went well, it was very close. I put one player from Auckland in the bin for a high tackle. My coach Brett was there and said I did well and he was happy with me."

BOP Referees boss Rae says Taneika is a very confident young lady.

"She has given up playing, which was one of the big barriers holding her back," he said. "That will open up so many more opportunities for her to referee at the level she needs to be at.

"She shows massive commitment for her age. A lot of girls her age don't know what they are doing next week but she knows where she wants to be in 2020."