Rugby: First-class ref enters elite category

FIRST CLASS: Chris Pollock will control his 200th game this weekend. PHOTO/FILE

Hawke's Bay high performance rugby referee Chris Pollock will become the fifth New Zealander to whistle 200 first-class matches when he controls the Hurricanes game against the Blues in Wellington tonight.

Pollock, a 22-test referee who retired from international duties last year, joins the ranks of some of New Zealand's most respected whistlers. Other referees to have reached the rare milestone are Bryce Lawrence (201), Steve Walsh (210), Paul Honiss (220) and Paddy O'Brien (221).

"I never envisaged reaching the 200 mark. When I started refereeing I was enjoying it for what it is. I was lucky to have a couple of breaks," Pollock said.

Hastings Boys' High School's director of sport, Pollock, 44, also has the part-time professional development manager's role with the Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union. Next weekend's Hurricanes match against the Waratahs in Sydney will be his final first class outing.

"I will still make myself available for Hawke's Bay premier club games. I also still want to be involved with the coaching of our school's under-15 team and I still want to run the water for our school's 1st XV.

New Zealand Rugby High Performance Referee manager Rod Hill congratulated Pollock on his achievement.

"To reach 200 first class matches for any athlete in this modern game is a special achievement. For match officials it's not an easy achievement over 15 years. Polly can be incredibly proud of what he has achieved in refereeing in New Zealand and on the international stage," Hill said.

Pollock's first class debut was a Hawke's Bay-Southland fixture in 2000. His career total takes in 79 Super Rugby matches, 80 provincial national competition matches, and nine Ranfurly Shield challenges.

He was New Zealand Rugby's referee of the year in 2013 and is a multiple winner of the official-umpire award at Hawke's Bay's annual Sports Awards. Officiating at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups were among his highlights on the international stage.

A former halfback, Pollock, started refereeing in the late 1990s. His milestone caps off a strong year for the New Zealand Rugby professional referees squad.

Former professional player turned referee Glen Jackson will notch up his 50th Super Rugby match next weekend when the Crusaders take on the Rebels.

Among the newly contracted referees, eye doctor Ben O'Keefe made his test match debut refereeing the Samoa-Georgia match in Apia last month, and Paul Williams, who has had a solid Super Rugby season with the whistle, was appointed to the Under-20 World Championship final between England and Ireland.

In the Sevens group, Nick Briant, Richard Kelly and Jessica Beard were appointed to the Olympic Sevens officials team. Paul Honiss, has been appointed New Zealand Women's Referee Squad Coach.