Adventures in Aussie Touch Footie Part 6 - Reffing the New Zealand "Touch Blacks"

 
New Zealand are in town preparing for the "Trans Tasman" international series against Australia next weekend, 24-26 April, which coincides with ANZAC Day. There will be a men's, women's and mixed series - best of 3 games in each division - and I am looking forward to seeing them so very much.

Last night I had the pleasure of refereeing New Zealand women's side as they took on Australian national/regional NTL side, the Sydney Rebels. There was also a men's and a mixed game. Australian national squads are selected from NTL regional sides so these games were always going to be of the highest quality between the #2 Test playing nation in the world vs. some of the very best players from the #1 nation who are knocking on the door to represent their country.

Every one of these women was super fast, strong and skilful, which of course led to a hatful of touchdowns scored. The result wasn't kept to my knowledge but NZ outscored Rebels by a factor of about two to one.

This was arguably (at times definitely) the hardest, most intense run I've ever had on a Touch field - but was both happy and very satisfied that I could hold my own and (I felt) maintain my intensity and concentration levels throughout the game.

My first taste of refereeing the highest quality of Touch on the planet: I loved every minute and I want more.