Honiss all geared up for big night

New Zealand referee Paul Honiss doesn't speak Spanish.

But he's not worried about a language problem when he controls tonight's match.

"Several of the Pumas play in England so they are used to English-speaking referees," he said.

"Probably some, if not all of the team, speak some English."

Honiss will referee his 26th international game in his 17-year career and his second at Sydney's Olympic Stadium.

"There is no doubt that this is the highlight of my career and I am really looking forward to it," he said.

"All my preparation has been done and I am not nervous, although there could be a few butterflies when I run out on to that great stadium."

Honiss will also take charge of the group B match between France and the United States at Wollongong on October 31.

Wallabies captain George Gregan is confident Honiss will promote a positive and open game.

Gregan is expecting a confrontational, in-your-face game from the seventh-ranked Pumas, but has faith in Honiss to keep a lid on things.

"You do your homework on referees," Gregan said yesterday.

"We know we've got Paul Honiss and we've all been refereed by him at provincial and international level for a number of years.

"He likes to referee an open match, which is good.

"He's from New Zealand and traditionally they like to play a game where the ball is in play, the ball's allowed to be played, and they promote positive rugby."

- NZPA

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