Rugby: Referee honoured

The referee whose controversial decision to award the All Blacks a penalty try in a 1968 match against Australia is part of transtasman sporting folklore has been honoured in the Australia Day awards.

Kevin Crowe, a Queenslander, receives a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to rugby as a player, referee and administrator.

He awarded New Zealand the penalty try with only two minutes to go in the second test at Brisbane at 1968, ruling that Australian second five-eighths Barry Honan tackled All Blacks centre Bill Davis after Davis had kicked the ball.

The conversion gave New Zealand a 19-18 win.