Test referee Honiss joins record books

Paul Honiss will become New Zealand's most prolific test referee tonight when he controls the second Tri-Nations match between Australia and South Africa.

As with all his colleagues, widely pilloried and rarely praised, Honiss, 43, has earned his place in rugby's record books as he breaks Paddy O'Brien's record of 37.

It's a milestone Honiss says crept up on him with the sheer weight of tests played these days; he's not turning cartwheels, but will view it with pride when he retires.

True to form, the less his name appears in the papers, the better.

"We're in what we call a negatively geared environment, in that they only talk about you when they've got something negative to say.

"You don't pick up a paper and read, 'What a wonderful refereeing performance that was on Saturday'."

Self-confidence and a thick skin have got Honiss to this point, where he rates his career a success by the high-profile matches he is appointed to, and the feedback from players.

Honiss claims he has never had a member of the public verbally or physically abuse him in the street. Even when he's refereed a match in Christchurch when Canterbury have lost.

It seems the vitriol is delivered from the safety of lounge rooms, bars and row K of the grandstand.

"Despite what people might say on radio or in general chat around a bar, when you come face-to-face there is an element of respect towards you from everybody."

Honiss became a referee at age 20 in Hamilton when injury ended his playing. His first test, 14 years later, was a tasty entree between Tahiti and Cook Islands.

He admits it takes a "distinct personality" to be a referee. He is his own harshest critic, often analysing matches on video for hours and ruing little errors.

When the 2011 World Cup was confirmed for New Zealand, Honiss saw it as the perfect farewell on home turf.

But he is yet to set a definite retirement date.

- NZPA