Exia's taken to having a whistle at the boys

Black Ferns veteran Exia Edwards had been trading her boots for a whistle recently but now she has her sights set firmly on the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Edwards, who hails from Opotiki, had been blowing the whistle in senior and colt level club rugby matches in the Eastern Bay rugby competition and she now has her sights firmly set on refereeing at the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup.

"If I'm not still playing," said the talented second five-eighth.

Controlling NPC games is also a goal for the former Bay of Plenty netball representative.

"I think I'm up to the challenge."

So far Edwards has found adjudicating over 30 male players had been an enjoyable experience and she hasn't hesitated when it comes to dishing out yellow cards.

"They're not as verbal as much as when they face male referees.

"I got a few odd looks when I first started but I think I'm becoming a familiar face around the fields now.

"I've handed out a few cards for foul play and they walk."

Edwards picked up the whistle at the start of this season after she felt she needed to put something back into the sport.

"I didn't want to coach," the 30-year-old said.

This weekend Edwards left the reffing up to someone else as she was one of 38 players taking part in a four day trial camp held in Rotorua.

The camp was the last chance for players to push for a place in the 26 strong squad that will defend the world cup.

The camp ended with a trial game yesterday, watched by around 50 people at Rotorua Boy's High School.

Edwards scored two first-half tries in what was largely a one-sided encounter.

She was happy with her performance and hoped it would be enough to take her to her third World Cup.

"I thought I was on my way out.

"But I guess scoring two tries puts two big ticks next to your name."

Edwards will learn if she has done enough to make the squad when it is announced later this week.

Edwards can cover most backline positions.

She had played second five-eighth, centre, wing and fullback for the Black Ferns and is an accomplished Sevens player.

Taupo Prop Mel Ngatai was unable to take part in the trial after injuring her shoulder.

Team manager Kate Sexton said Ngatai was still in contention for the World Cup which will be held at the end of August in Edmonton Canada.

The Black Ferns have won the last two World Cups and enter this year's tournament as the top seed.

They are drawn in pool A along with Spain and Kazakhstan.

They will play five games if they qualify for the final.