Veteran referee Steve Walsh has retired from officiating the game after almost two decades of refereeing at the top level.
43-year-old Walsh refereed in four Rugby World Cups, after making his debut in Super Rugby in 1997. His Test debut was in 1998, and has since officiated in 60 Test matches, and is the third most capped international referee.
Walsh said he had lived out his dreams and aspirations for rugby, but had business interests to pursue that would take him away from the game.
“I have lived my dream and I am truly grateful for every experience that I have had in Rugby. It’s been an incredible journey.
“I would be doing all of the key stakeholders in the game – from officials to the players to the fans – an injustice if I was unable to 100 per cent channel my energies and devote my full attention towards refereeing Super Rugby and Test Matches. I would not want my new focus to impact the integrity of the competitions in which I am involved.
“I will be forever indebted to Australian Rugby for including me so openly following a difficult period for me personally. I would also like to acknowledge my time with New Zealand Rugby. Their decision to end my contract in 2009 was challenging, but was ultimately the best thing has ever happened in my life. It made me confront who I was and how I carried myself.”
Bill Pulver congratulated Walsh on a long career in the game, the end of which was based in Australia.
“On behalf of everyone at the ARU, I would like to wish Steve all the best in his future endeavours. His departure is a big loss to Australian Rugby and the game globally, but we fully respect Steve’s decision to pursue his own personal dreams and wish him well. In making this significant decision, Steve has displayed a strong level of integrity and respect for the game.
“Steve has been a terrific ambassador for Australian Rugby – whether it be at Six Nations games on the other side of the world, in the spotlight officiating World Cup games or refereeing Super Rugby fixtures – living the core values of our sport day in, day out and inspiring the next generation of match officials in this country.
“We now look forward to continuing to support the development of our next tier of match officials to reach and hopefully exceed the levels attained by Steve through his career.”
World Rugby High Performance Match Officials Manager Joel Jutge thanked Walsh for his contribution to the game.
“On behalf of World Rugby I would like to thank him for the contribution he has made to our great game and wish him well as he looks forward to another challenge in the business world.”
JimmyB
Guest
There's no such thing is there?
44bottles
Roar Guru
Yeh, the Brumbies looooooooved Steve Walsh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTO6oqeozkI
Freighter
Guest
So Joel Jutges is the man responsible for the international referree's performances?? Well, lift your game please sir!
Harry Jones
Expert
Who's a good ref, in your opinion?
AJ
Guest
It's a hard and almost totally thankless job. He should be acknowledged and congratulated.
Birdy
Guest
Each to their own, Peter. In the NH he's generally regarded with horror and the blogs up here seem to be one collective sigh of relief. I've no idea what he was like as a 'bloke' away from rugby; he might be Nelson Mandela reincarnate. Around rugby he was a menace and uniquely narcissistic and up himself. The manner of his leaving is typical. He committed to reffing in the 6N and was down to do a game last week and the England - France game this week (God help us). He couldn't be bothered to see those commitments through. So unless there's more to his leaving than we've been told (entirely possible with Walsh) he left in the same selfish manner he conducted his career. He didn't know one end of a scrum from another; reffed in a very emotional way, which uniquely would see him favouring a particular side during a game; and clearly hated some teams. He was suspended for getting involved in a row with an England coach on the sidelines when he was 4th official at the 2003 WC when he squirted water into the coach's face. Aussies may like him because, in recent years, they haven't had to put up with him reffing the Wallabies.
atlas
Guest
no, not at all, there's dozens of international-level Australian refs who deserve a chance having proven themselves at Super level . . . oh, wait a minute . . . Send in your CV, there may even be a spot for you
Edi2000
Roar Rookie
You know.... as much as he irritated me sometime with his crazy gaffs, I always enjoyed his games. Good luck for the future Steve.
peter hughes
Guest
I have always regarded Steve Walsh in the top 3 Refs in wold rugby. He was not perfect of course (no Ref is) but his intent was always to let the game run & play the advantage rule. He wasn't pedantic & negative like all the British Refs and his communication with players was always good. He's a big loss to the game imo
JimmyB
Guest
I'm actually genuinely thankful that he's seen fit to call it quits now, before the RWC. Every time I heard that he was reffing an England game my heart sank. I should imagine that there will be a good number of fans and players pleased to see him retire, now if Craig Joubert followed suit then everything in the garden would be rosy.
Trent Marshall
Guest
Guess they will need to recall Bryce Lawrence to help fill in?
Chris
Guest
Well the Brumbies chances just improved markedly. The Waratahs are f***ed.
Nigel Jones
Guest
thought him. Good referee, players had no option but to listen to him, I am not sure but I think I met him at the junior World Cup when it was held in Wales around 1998/99, I was a liaison officer for the team from Andorra, think we met at Bulth Wells, you could see he was heading to the top, a real nice man, best wishes in your new career
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Fair dinkum Johhno you are a lost cause - that ended eons ago in mid 2007. If you were lucky enough to meet Melodie she'd first ask "You're from Australia? Do you have Mick's number perchance?" ;) I win! Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.
riddler
Guest
Mate with my ugly mug not a chance.. Long time ago now but my old man nailed it once with Tim Lane.. Tim played a couple of tests for oz but mainly on the bench.. He told me that if tim got on then watch that he will have an injury but not a serious one so that he can't continue to play.. I said how do u know.. He replied.. so that he will have the TV camera on him for 15 seconds at least. . They were mates so to speak..
riddler
Guest
Chivas.. cheers for the info.. definitely seemed a bit cocky that us for sure.. but as said before there a heck of a lot worse refs around.. Btw..nice little dig.. off field maybe an all round great Australian. . ;)
Chivas
Guest
I think that was part of the aftermath and fallout. At that stage he had already been stood down for over the top behaviour and was out of favour... Bit like JOC when he got bounced for the airport incident. The straw that broke the camels back or excuse was his drunken stupidity to get rid of a largely unpopular person and a bit of a d..k. He still seems to be a bit too full of his own self-importance on the field for mine. Off the field he may be an all round great Australian, but as I mentioned not sad too see him drawing the curtain on his career. He had the ability to be remembered in a much better light than he will be in some quarters. But we all make errors and move on. Glad to see he is.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
agree mate, have noticed that about folau too. And considering he often run his fingers through his hair after checking the big screen out I reckon it's not the footy replays he is interested in. :) I actually think most players do it these days, leaguies too (remember Gordon Tallis saying he couldn't stand that). perhaps we would do the same though who knows...
riddler
Guest
that is trait i have noticed of folau nick.. maybe he is just checking out the replays.. then he the must be the most interested player in the replays going around.. have a look next time..
riddler
Guest
chivas i thought it was for being drunk and abusive at some higher ups in nzru.. not correct?