Mate Samuels, 33, has been refereeing for around 10 months. He says he was unable to commit to playing rugby any more because of study commitments, but still wanted to be involved in the game.
"I was also asked by many refs over the years if I wanted the whistleso I finally said yes," said Samuels who lives in Otumoetai but is originally from Matakana Island.
He loves the challenge of refereeing.
"It looks easy from a player's perspective but when you try it, it's a lot harder than you think and it actually takes a lot more skill than it looks."
After only been refereeing for a short time, Samuels was involved in the Bayleys National Sevens in Rotorua this year which he describes as his biggest highlight to date. "I've come to realise that these refs are not such bad guys like I used to think they were in my playing days!" he laughed.
Samuels says more people should give it a go. "It's a good physical challenge but also mentally challenging too. Tauranga is a great place to learn the trade as we have some top refs from the area that pass on their knowledge to us."
