Referee blows final whistle on career
‘‘I have had some huge experiences and met some pretty amazing people along the way’’
Simon Brown’s refereeing career will come full circle in this week’s Counties Power Counties Manukau Rugby game of the week between Waiuku and Manurewa.
Brown will call time on his refereeing career after Saturday’s match, with new challenges on the horizon.
While he’s excited about his future endeavours, this week serves as a time for reflection on a career that began 18 years ago and started with a Waiuku premiers match. ‘‘I’m excited,’’ Brown said. ‘‘I have had some huge experiences and met some pretty amazing people along the way.
‘‘It has been good but now it is time to move to the next chapter.’’
Highlights for Brown during his career included controlling games at provincial level and Super Rugby development matches.
‘‘I got to referee quite a bit overseas.
‘‘I got to referee a curtainraiser to the All Blacks. It was at North Harbour Stadium when the All Blacks played the Pacific Islands and I did a schoolboys First XV game in front of a packed house, which was cool.’’
Saturday’s match carries special meaning for Brown. It is the Pat Walsh memorial match and features the club he once played for, at a venue where he made his premier debut.
‘‘There will definitely be an emotion there as we get towards the end. The decision hasn’t been made lightly so I will be excited.’’
Waiuku and Manurewa will be desperate to finish the first round on a high note and keep in touch with the top four sides.
Manurewa narrowly lost to Karaka last week and were ruing coming so close without clearing the final hurdle.
Manurewa coach Josh Levi said his side was focused on a big finish to the first round.
‘‘It is really important in terms of going into the second round. We want to win this game first of all but we also want a bonus point as well.’’
Waiuku have been a bit up and down this year, putting in a couple of really impressive performances against good sides but also being on the wrong end of a couple of big scores.
‘‘They will be just as hungry as us so it will probably come down to who wants it more on the day,’’ Levi said.