O'Brien reflects on biggest game

Southland rugby referee Paddy O'Brien says having round-the-clock armed security and getting a police escort to Ellis Park for last week's Tri-Nations decider was "like something you would see on television."

O'Brien arrived back from Johannesburg on Wednesday after controlling what he considered was the biggest game of his career, between South Africa and Australia.

He was the centre of much discussion leading into the test because Irish referee David McHugh had been attacked by spectator Pieter van Zyl in Durban the week before.

O'Brien said he had no fears for his safety, especially when he, the two touch judges and the video referee had their own two-man personal security team assigned to protect them.

O'Brien said getting a police escort to Ellis Park added to the bizarre build-up.

"We were weaving in and out of traffic. Once the supporters realised it was the referee, there were boos and cheers.

"It was just another facet to the build-up to the game. It was surreal. It was something you see on television rather than being involved in it."

- NZPA