Both are 14-year-old Year 10 students at Campion College.
Sadler plays rugby for Campion’s under-15s, enjoys the sport and says refereeing affords him a different perspective.
He is also into athletics.
Sadler said it was important to make decisions assertively and Lincoln said setting the right tone was key.
Lincoln has noted the progress of Rebecca Mahoney in New Zealand rugby refereeing ranks.
Last year, Mahoney became the first female referee to officiate a Heartland Championship match and this year she refereed a Ranfurly Shield match, the first woman to do so.
Lincoln said refereeing at a higher level could be “something to explore” in the future.
Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union chief executive Josh Willoughby said it was great to see secondary school students give refereeing a go and to have two young referees from Poverty Bay selected to officiate in a national tournament.
He said the union and the Poverty Bay Rugby Referees Association put a lot of effort into developing referees and creating a supportive environment for them.
On the playing side, Mangapapa School will represent Poverty Bay at the tournament in Wellington.
Te Kura Kaupapa o Te Waiu will represent Ngati Porou East Coast.
