Players score referee training time
College team wins sessions
Living on the peripheral areas of the main centres of Hawke’s Bay has its challenges, but the astuteness of a rugby parent has resulted in a boon for Te Aute College.
“Being a small boarding school with such a rich history on the outskirts of Hastings, the team struggles to compete with the larger well-resourced schools in the region and so welcome any help,” wrote Heath Ingle who entered the school’s E graders into the Specsavers Ultimate Investec Super Rugby Referee Training Experience competition.
The team of 19 boys have received a $1000 prize, free eye examinations for each team member and glasses for those who require them from the sponsors.
“With this team having a reasonable season, this prize will definitely help them strive to play at an even higher level,” said Ingle, of the national competition that lured more than more than 20 entries.
Consequently, Super Rugby and test referee Ben O’Keeffe conducted a training session at the college grounds last Wednesday.
The tireless team of boarders and day scholars lapped up O’Keeffe’s tips and tricks in the tradition of the Te Aute legacy former students have moulded.
The CHB Ma¯ ori boys’ boarding school’s graduates who went on to acquire higher rugby honours include former All Blacks Norm Hewitt, Piri Weepu and Kane Hames. The other illustrious graduate in the code is Riki Flutey, a former England and British and Irish Lions utility back.
Specsavers New Zealand country director Brendan Thompson says the E graders deserve the accolades.
“We are proud to be able to help them on their journey and give each team member eye exams to ensure their vision is in check and give them the confidence they need on and off the field.”
Specsavers and New Zealand Rugby have forged a three-year partnership to ensure the eye health of Super Rugby referees is covered, guaranteeing prescription glasses to any team member who requires them.
O’Keeffe, a locum at the eye department of the Wellington Hospital, is in his fourth year of Super Rugby officiating and has 11 test matches up his sleeve, including the South AfricaArgentina clash in Durban last month.
“I’m proud to be able to visit Te Aute and have the opportunity to pass on some knowledge to the players, coaches and referees. It’s great to be able to meet the next generation of Te Aute rugby and provide support,” says the 29-yearold, who covered his first Super Rugby match as a late call-up four years ago when Napier whistle blower Chris Pollock got injured before the Highlanders-Crusaders fixture in Dunedin.
“I was more worried about my mate, Chris Pollock, who had rolled an ankle in the morning so I had realised he wasn’t going to be able to referee,” says O’Keeffe.