Top rugby referee Nigel Owens has refereed his first match since June, taking charge of an under-15s schoolboy rugby match this afternoon at St Peters College in Auckland.
The 46-year old said he needed to officiate a match to help prepare for the second Bledisloe Cup test between the All Blacks and Wallabies on Saturday.
Frenchman Jerome Garces was originally scheduled to ref the match, but he suffered a calf injury while refereeing a friendly match between French Top 14 sides Bayonne and Racing 92 and was forced to pull out.
Due to be called in late, Owens didn't have any time to prepare for the Test in Wales, so took the chance to officiate this match.
"It was very entertaining game and very enjoyable. I needed a bit of refereeing as well which is good practice for me on Saturday," said Owens.
"The last time I refereed was back in June, when I did England against Argentina so they try arrange some games for you to get a couple under your belt.
"I was called in late so I didn't get a chance to referee any games at home."
Owens admitted post-match that everybody in the match was well behaved.
"There was one high tackle which I had a little quiet word, but they were all very good."
"I'm quite surprised all the parents on the touchline were quite quiet as well."
Newshub.
