Francis whistles up an IRB award

LOCAL LEGEND: Bob Francis considers the UK as his favourite international destination for refereeing. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Referee looks back on many a memorable rugby clash

Wairarapa's Bob Francis has been presented with the International Rugby Board Referee Award for distinguished service to the game as a referee.

During a career that started in 1961, Mr Francis had made an "exceptional contribution" at all levels of the game, as a referee and a referee selector.

He started off playing rugby but as a "bad asthmatic", could only do so much.

He turned his hand to refereeing but "never thought he would go so far".

Mr Francis' whole family was involved in rugby and he says he has always had a "great love for the game".

His career as an active referee finished in the late 80s when "neutral referees" were introduced.

"Up until then, a New Zealand ref would ref the All Blacks game."

Mr Francis took charge of almost 100 first-class matches, including Ranfurly Shield games and internationals, such as the 1986 Rest of the World versus the British and Irish Lions at Cardiff Arms Park in Wales, which he considers one of his most notable appointments.

Mr Francis also refereed what is often described as the "greatest provincial match ever played" in New Zealand in 1985, when he took charge of the Ranfurly Shield match between Canterbury and Auckland.

He considers the UK as his favourite international destination for refereeing, after officiating on famous grounds such as Twickenham.

Officiating rugby games led to travel all over the world for Mr Francis. His refereeing duties took him to places such as Argentina and the Pacific Islands.

Back in New Zealand, he rates refereeing club rugby in Wairarapa as a favourite past-time.

Mr Francis went on to be a referee assessor and then referee selector during several Rugby World Cup campaigns.

"The IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service recognises those who have contributed significantly to the area of officiating and there are few who have given more to referee development than Bob Francis," said IRB high performance match officials manager Joel Jutge.

"It is a great pleasure to thank him for his dedication and commitment to this key area of our game."

IRB high performance sevens referee manager Paddy O'Brien said: "Bob is my mentor and someone who I have the utmost respect for. I'd call him my father figure of refereeing.

"You always knew where you stood with Bob.

"He was chairman of the New Zealand Referee Association for 14 years and he was a real people person."