Rugby: Unwanted Walsh may continue career in Japan

Outcast Kiwi referee Steve Walsh could return under another nation's banner to control World Cup tests in New Zealand in 2011.

Walsh was chosen to control early rounds of this year's Super 14 and earmarked for this weekend's Six Nations decider between Ireland and Wales.

However "personal employment" issues interfered with those plans and Walsh has not handled a rugby game this year. His absence is connected to a number of incidents, capped by his alleged behaviour at a Sanzar meeting late last year in Sydney.

Since then, NZRU officials have been working through the issues with Walsh and his advisers and an announcement is expected soon. It is understood that Walsh and the NZRU will end their association but that may not be the finish of his career.

It is understood he has considered a move to referee in Japan, from where he could be nominated again for the International Rugby Board's elite list of officials. The 37-year-old Walsh has controlled 35 tests and appears to have stronger support at the IRB than NZRU level.

His first serious brush with authorities came during the 2003 World Cup in Australia when he was suspended for a game after getting into an altercation with England fitness adviser Dave Reddin on the sideline.

Two years later Walsh was back in the sporting headlines during the Lions tour of New Zealand. He was found guilty of verbally abusing visiting wing Shane Horgan, when he was on the touchline for a game at New Plymouth, and suspended for four months.

The final episode which resulted in Walsh's name missing from Super 14 appointments this season came after a Sanzar meeting in Sydney. It has been suggested Walsh was asked to leave a discussion group because of his behaviour. He returned later in the day but was asked to bypass the next day's session for referees.

A note accompanying the list of this year's Super match officials said Walsh was not considered because of a "personal employment matter. The NZRU and Mr Walsh will not make any further comment on the matter at this time," it continued.

Walsh has been in mediation talks with his New Zealand employers and legal advisers ever since.

Several years ago, he appeared to be losing his appetite for refereeing and began looking at other career options. However he has told friends that he has rediscovered his passion for the job and wants to continue for some time.

That ambition hit a snag with the Sydney incident and the subsequent impasse.