Smith set to blow final whistle on reffing career
Gary Smith will trade in his yellow and red cards for a gold card.
It is a cracking line from the long-serving referee.
The Cromwell resident does not hit retirement age until next year, so he has to wait until April for said gold card.
But he is planning on retiring from refereeing a lot sooner. This weekend, actually.
He will officiate in the White Horse Cup match between Upper Clutha and Matakanui Combined, ending a 30-year career.
It is his second retirement.
The first one did not stick. He kept going for another seven years. And this retirement is more of a graduated retreat in some ways.
He plans to stay involved with the sport and coach some up-and-coming referees.
"I always think, why did I take up, and it's because I love it," he said.
"And if you haven't got referees, you haven't got a rugby game, and I'm passionate about it.
"But it's got to the stage where I'm turning 65, and so I gave away the yellow and red cards for a gold card."
Smith was motivated to take up refereeing after a chat with former referee Colin Hawke, who played an important role in two infamous moments in Otago sport.
Hawke penalised Otago hooker David Latta for getting offside late in the 1994 Ranfurly Shield against Canterbury, and Andrew Mehrtens stepped up and kicked the winner.
Hawke awarded Auckland a penalty try during the NPC final against Otago the following year.
Smith was not a fan of either decision and met up with Hawke shortly after. They had a good chat about refereeing and he was ultimately won over.
"I went along to the South Canterbury referees meeting and met Colin. He said, and he's made it public since, the penalty try would probably be a different decision now.
"I respected that and I said, 'you coach me for a month and I'll give it a crack'.
"Then I got to appreciate what's actually involved. I think if every supporter or rugby player had a couple of games under their belt as a referee, I think there'd be a lot less sideline abuse."
There are a lot of know-alls on the sideline whose knowledge about the laws of rugby can be quite limited.
But Smith said he did not always notice the abuse. He also understood most of the time it was just passion bubbling to the surface.
"You've got to realise there's a difference between targeted abuse and passionate abuse, and most of it's passionate.
"You hear it, but you don't. I've never had too many issues.
"I just ignore it and I don't take it personally. Once you get in the clubroom, everything's left on the field most of the time.
"Probably the hardest age group is that junior age-group, where the parents think their kids are all that, you know?"
Smith said he had officiated in more than 500 games, and more than 200 of those had been at the top club level.
He stayed involved so long because "at the end of the day, I'd love to be still playing if I had my choice".
"It's the best seat in the house, and the best option to be out in the middle".
Smith was selected in a South Island Zone squad in 2003 and had the opportunity to officiate at a higher level.
He refereed "several women's NPC games".
"Basically, that squad was to try and get us into that Heartland squad, so I never made that next step up, unfortunately."
Despite missing out, he continued to referee, and one of the highlights was the game between Dunstan High School and Otago Boys' in 2010.
Dunstan recorded a historic 9-8 win and he watched from the middle.
Smith will miss the people the most but he is also ready for a change.
"It's going to be a happy, sad day. But I've sacrificed a lot of hunting and fishing and a bit of family life.
"That's a good commitment we make, you know. So teams can play rugby on a Saturday."
adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Smith set to blow final whistle on reffing career
Gary Smith will trade in his yellow and red cards for a gold card. It is a cracking line from the long-serving referee. The Cromwell resident does not hit retirement age until next year, so he has to wait until April for said gold card. But he is planning on retiring from refereeing a lot sooner. This weekend, actually. He will officiate in the White Horse Cup match between Upper Clutha and Matakanui Combined, ending a 30-year career. It is his second retirement. The first one did not stick. He kept going for another seven years. And this retirement is more of a graduated retreat in some ways. He plans to stay involved with the sport and coach some up-and-coming referees. "I always think, why did I take up, and it's because I love it," he said. "And if you haven't got referees, you haven't got a rugby game, and I'm passionate about it. "But it's got to the stage where I'm turning 65, and so I gave away the yellow and red cards for a gold card." Smith was motivated to take up refereeing after a chat with former referee Colin Hawke, who played an important role in two infamous moments in Otago sport. Hawke penalised Otago hooker David Latta for getting offside late in the 1994 Ranfurly Shield against Canterbury, and Andrew Mehrtens stepped up and kicked the winner. Hawke awarded Auckland a penalty try during the NPC final against Otago the following year. Smith was not a fan of either decision and met up with Hawke shortly after. They had a good chat about refereeing and he was ultimately won over. "I went along to the South Canterbury referees meeting and met Colin. He said, and he's made it public since, the penalty try would probably be a different decision now. "I respected that and I said, 'you coach me for a month and I'll give it a crack'. "Then I got to appreciate what's actually involved. I think if every supporter or rugby player had a couple of games under their belt as a referee, I think there'd be a lot less sideline abuse." There are a lot of know-alls on the sideline whose knowledge about the laws of rugby can be quite limited. But Smith said he did not always notice the abuse. He also understood most of the time it was just passion bubbling to the surface. "You've got to realise there's a difference between targeted abuse and passionate abuse, and most of it's passionate. "You hear it, but you don't. I've never had too many issues. "I just ignore it and I don't take it personally. Once you get in the clubroom, everything's left on the field most of the time. "Probably the hardest age group is that junior age-group, where the parents think their kids are all that, you know?" Smith said he had officiated in more than 500 games, and more than 200 of those had been at the top club level. He stayed involved so long because "at the end of the day, I'd love to be still playing if I had my choice". "It's the best seat in the house, and the best option to be out in the middle". Smith was selected in a South Island Zone squad in 2003 and had the opportunity to officiate at a higher level. He refereed "several women's NPC games". "Basically, that squad was to try and get us into that Heartland squad, so I never made that next step up, unfortunately." Despite missing out, he continued to referee, and one of the highlights was the game between Dunstan High School and Otago Boys' in 2010. Dunstan recorded a historic 9-8 win and he watched from the middle. Smith will miss the people the most but he is also ready for a change. "It's going to be a happy, sad day. But I've sacrificed a lot of hunting and fishing and a bit of family life. "That's a good commitment we make, you know. So teams can play rugby on a Saturday."
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Chances of NZ win pretty good: triallist
East Otago triallist Lloyd Smith and his heading dog Code are in a team out to beat their Australian rivals and bring home the Wayleggo Cup. Smith talks to Shawn McAvinue about their surprise selection and his successes during more than 40 years at the top level of the sport. A wooden sign covered in moss on a fence on the sheep and beef farm of Lloyd Smith in Palmerston reads "dog training paddock". The time spent in that paddock continues to pay off for the veteran triallist. Smith and his heading dog Code have been selected for the New Zealand team to contest the Wayleggo Cup in a transtasman test series over two days at the Ashburton A&P Show from October 31. Australia holds the cup after winning in Geelong, southwest of Melbourne, last year and Smith said the Kiwis would "endeavour to get it back". In Australia, the home team has the upper hand because they use merino sheep which had limited contact with people, and New Zealand dogs were new to the wild nature of the Aussie flock. In New Zealand, crossbred sheep were used, bringing its own home advantage. "It is a bit like preparing a cricket wicket, you prepare it for the home team," he said. The other New Zealand team members are captain Mark Copland and his dog Guy, of Methven Collie Club in Canterbury Centre, Leo Jecentho and Jake, of Karioi Sheep Dog Trial Club in Waikato Centre and Ben Millar and King, of Glenroy in Canterbury Centre. The reserve is Brian Dickison and dog Dan, of Greenvale Dog Trial Club in Southland Centre. "It is a pretty strong team. I like to think we have a pretty good chance," Smith said. Smith and Code competed in the short head and yard at the South Island and New Zealand Championships at Lochiel Station in Hanmer Springs recently and placing fifth in the South Island champs, drawing seventh and final place in the run-off at nationals. The duo finished sixth in the national championships. Code had a good run to the pen but did not yard the Romney flock. Code did not place in the top three at nationals, Smith was surprised to have been selected for the New Zealand team. He and Code also competed in the national run-off last year. The consistent performance of the 5-year-old dog might have helped them get selected for the national team, he said. Code was the progeny of Smith's bitch Samantha and a dog Crest, owned by his son-in-law Scott Hunter in Omarama. Smith's farm near Palmerston was once twice the size. He and his late wife Linda sold half of it so they could semi-retire and continue farming, rather than sell up and move to town. "I keep some dogs on and can carry on doing what I enjoy doing." He now runs about 250 ewes and about 45 beef cattle. His wife — who he described as his biggest supporter — died in February this year after battling cancer. The couple's 50th wedding anniversary was the same month she died. Smith has been dog-trialling for more than 40 years. His first year competing was with huntaway Oak in Lowburn in 1982. The pair won a national championship in 1983. "He was an exceptional dog." He won four New Zealand hunt titles before he won a heading title. As you age, a heading dog suits you better, he said. "I don't have the work for the young huntaways anyway." Since starting in the sport, he had placed 69 times in island and national championships, competing with 24 dogs. "I have been there or there or thereabouts for the last 40-odd years." Some of the scores of trophies he won were on display in his house, some were in cabinets, some were used as door stops. The rest were stored in a shipping container outside. The prizes include five green ties for winning national championships. He had also won six island championships. Smith has represented New Zealand before. He and his dog Ace won the New Zealand champs in Gore in 2010 and got selected for the New Zealand team. Being able to represent your country was a "great thrill". "When you are standing out there and the national anthem is being played, it makes you feel pretty proud." Ace had the same mother as Code. Smith then made the national team again in Wānaka with heading dog Risk about two years later. Risk broke her leg before she was able to compete. He had been reserve for the transtasman test twice including Ashburton in 2023 but was never called on to compete. The Wayleggo Cup competition course was split in four sections. Two sections were run under New Zealand rules and two sections were run under Australian rules. "You have to be mindful if you are in a New Zealand section or an Australian section." Under New Zealand rules, triallists were more free to move their body in a way to coax a flock in a direction. Australian rules meant a triallist had to stand still during a certain part of the course. "Their rules take a bit of adjusting to. Here you are allowed to move your arms and help the dog but over there it is not allowed so you've virtually got to put your hands in your pockets." Smith is the president of the Waihemo Collie Club in the North Otago Centre, a position he had held before. "We are limited member-wise so they are getting into recycling us oldies now. It is a good wee club." His late wife was a life member of the club and her involvement included running the cookshop. Winter was a good time to train working dogs, as there was less farm work to do than usual. Training a pup and taking it to the top level of the sport was the "ultimate", he said. "A pups isn't born with bad habits. The reason they end up with them is people let them develop." Wayleggo Cup What: Annual transtasman sheep dog trial test series. Test series: 37. New Zealand won: 22. Australia won: 15. Where: Alternates between the two countries. This year: Ashburton from October 31. Current cup holder: Australia. First competition: Brisbane in 1985.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Former All Black Daryl Gibson to help New Zealand's top cricketers
Former All Black Daryl Gibson Photo: Chris Symes / PHOTOSPORT Former All Black Daryl Gibson will take up a high performance role with New Zealand Cricket. Gibson, who played 19 Tests for the All Blacks between 1999 and 2002, has been appointed the new chief high performance officer for New Zealand Cricket. He takes up the position next month replacing Bryan Stronach, who announced earlier this year that he would be leaving the job. Gibson is currently the head of high performance coaching at High Performance Sport New Zealand. He has been involved in shaping the strategic direction of coaching across a wide variety of sports, supporting over 450 pathway coaches from elite to pre-high-performance levels. Christchurch-based with Canterbury roots, Gibson has led initiatives such as the Kia Manawanui coach programme, mentoring 15 elite coaches for Paris 2024 and overseeing targeted coach education programmes. After his playing days Gibson moved into coaching and assisted Fiji at the 2023 World Cup. "It's a real privilege to join NZC at a time of transformation - with a new head coach, a bold five-year strategic plan, and a playing culture that exemplifies a spirit of winning with mana," Gibson said. NZC chief executive Scott Weenink was delighted to sign Gibson, noting the breadth and depth of his high performance experience. "Daryl's experience as an All Black, combined with his strategic leadership within high performance coaching, and his educational expertise made him an outstanding candidate," said Weenink. "His ability to foster talent and build sustainable systems aligns perfectly with NZC's vision for the future.
