Rugby: Youthful ref making big calls

Mount Maunganui College student George Haswell refereeing at the Touch World Cup. Photo / Supplied

Papamoa's Jackson Reuben and George Haswell were among 29 referees from New Zealand who officiated at the Touch World Cup held in Sydney recently.

Haswell, 15, a Year 11 student at Mount Maunganui College, was the youngest of the top ranked officials.

He was delighted with the games he was allocated, saying "it shocked a lot of the other referees at how old I was and the level of matches I was doing".

His proudest moment was taking charge of the Men's Open fifth/sixth play-off between Fiji and Japan.

"That was a highlight for me to see developing nations in touch come a long way since 2011 to be in the fifth and sixth play-off," Haswell said. "It was fast all right."

Fitness is a key factor in touch rugby refereeing as there are very few stoppages and the game is considerably faster than rugby union.

Haswell's fitness was tested at the World Cup when he had to do four games in one day - Scotland v Wales, Ireland v England, Australia v South Africa (Men's Open) and Japan v Samoa (Women's Open) - after rain washed out an earlier day.

Keeping fit is why the dedicated referee decided to try touch.

"I was looking for something over the summer period to keep me fit. I already had the refereeing skills so I just thought I would adapt into another sport and touch stuck out.

"There is quite a large touch community around the Bay of Plenty so it was quite easy to jump on in. Carlos Savage from Tauranga was in the (New Zealand) open men's team in Australia."

Being the youngest rugby referee is nothing new for Haswell who took up the whistle four years ago.

He is one of a new breed of young refs coming through the excellent training system at Bay of Plenty Rugby under the guidance of referee education officer Pat Rae.

Haswell enjoys officiating at First XV level but admits he had to quickly grow a thick skin as a regular assistant referee at Bayfair Baywide Development and Premier games.

"As a rugby referee I want to get to the premier level in the Bay of Plenty within the next two years.

"In touch I would like to take up more of a coaching role to help younger referees coming through but still keep active. The next World Cup is in 2019 so that is a goal to work towards."