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New Zealand's most-experienced referee Paul Honiss was preparing to return to Super 14 duties in a few weeks time when his left calf muscle failed him.
The vastly experienced whistleblower had been back on duty refereeing in Hamilton club rugby priming himself for a return to officiating top-flight matches after taking time out to attend to a serious family illness. But his planned return was derailed when he felt some pain in his leg.
"I think the hard grounds might have contributed, I'm not sure," Honiss said. "I thought it was coming right but a scan showed there was a 14mm tear, so I won't be ready for about another three weeks."
Honiss had been pencilled in for some Super 14 work later this month but that planned return to the high-pressure, high-profile role - and his first-hand introduction to the ELVs - has been postponed following the injury.
His absence has meant more work for New Zealand's other referees in the tournament, Lyndon Bray, Kelvin Deaker, Bryce Lawrence, Chris Pollock and Steve Walsh, while Honiss, like the rest of the country has been left to analyse his colleagues from the couch.
