Bay of Plenty Referees Podcast

This week on the Bay of Plenty Referee Podcast, Sam and Jamie are joined by David Hodgson, Chair of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Referee Management Group.David has been involved in Bay of Plenty refereeing since 2004 and has chaired the RMG since 2015. In this episode, he talks about why he first picked up the whistle, his highlights from more than two decades in the game, and what really happens behind the scenes to keep refereeing running across a large and diverse region. He also shares his reflections on referee culture, the importance of club connections, developing young officials, and why the Bay continues to be held in high regard across the wider refereeing community.Sam and Jamie also recap a big weekend across the Bay, including multiple referees backing up across several games, the latest education session on the tactical side of lineouts, and the ongoing need to support new referees without throwing them in too deep too soon. The team also covers World Rugby’s approval of the lower legal tackle height in community rugby, Georgia U20’s historic win over New Zealand U20, Taranaki’s recent referee recruitment and storytelling work, and details for the upcoming Bay of Plenty Rugby Referee Awards evening.The episode finishes with Whistler of the Week, awarded to Dan Rolls for a massive weekend of service across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including picking up an extra flag when needed.Rugby and referee news mentionedWorld Rugby: Lower legal tackle height approved for community rugbyhttps://www.world.rugby/news/996977World Rugby: Lower tackle height trial extended to the World Rugby U20 Championship 2026https://www.world.rugby/news/1019790/lower-tackle-height-trial-extended-to-world-rugby-u20-championship-2026RugbyPass: Georgia U20 defeat New Zealand U20 22–19https://www.rugbypass.com/news/georgia-make-rugby-history-at-expense-of-giants-of-the-sport/World Rugby: World Rugby U20 Championship 2026 pools and fixtureshttps://www.world.rugby/u20/en/poolsTaranaki referee storiesTaranaki referee short documentary / recruitment video mentioned by Sam:https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BHjLx9wzb/Seven Sharp / young Taranaki referee story mentioned by Sam:https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18i8Lx42EP/Bay of Plenty linksBay of Plenty Rugby Union: Referee Management Grouphttps://www.boprugby.co.nz/rmgBay of Plenty Rugby Union: David Hodgson Trophyhttps://www.boprugby.co.nz/david-hodgson-trophy

In this episode of the Bay of Plenty Referees Podcast, Sam, Jamie and Sean are joined by Nick Hogan, one of New Zealand’s leading match officials, currently dialling in from India while officiating in the latest edition of the Indian sevens competition. Nick reflects on his refereeing journey, from starting out as a schoolboy referee at Wellington College after deciding playing was no longer the best fit, through to representing New Zealand on the international stage. Nick talks about the standout experience of his career so far, officiating at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, including the atmosphere of refereeing in France in front of huge crowds and why that remains his number one highlight to date. He also gives listeners a fascinating insight into the sevens tournament he is currently involved with in India, including the international standard of players and coaches involved, the different competition format, and why opportunities like this are important for the growth and sustainability of sevens rugby globally.The conversation also covers Nick’s role leading work around the new regional representative referee squads, including the shift in focus from NZR high performance, the need to continue servicing representative rugby well, and the goal of making selection processes clearer and more transparent through fitness, law and performance criteria. He also speaks about stepping into the role of Bay of Plenty Senior Panel Manager, why the timing felt right, and his focus on maintaining high standards, developing referees, and helping the senior panel continue to grow. Alongside the interview, the team recap the weekend’s local rugby, discuss the latest education session on the technical pillar of the lineout, touch on Bronco expectations heading into finals season, and run through some rugby news including the sold-out Super Rugby Pacific final and the statistics behind Major League Rugby’s Referee Review System. Nick is also named Whistler of the Week in recognition of both his international officiating work and his contribution to the Bay of Plenty referee community. If you enjoy the episode, you can catch the podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or connect with the crew at the weekly referee meetings.

This week on the Bay of Plenty Referee Podcast, we’re joined by Tiana Ngawati-Anderson, one of Bay of Plenty’s leading match officials, now established on the international pathway in both sevens and fifteens. Tiana reflects on her refereeing journey, the significance of being named on the 2026 HSBC SVNS women’s panel, her international XVs appointments, and what it has taken to return to the whistle after a challenging period with her health.We also recap the weekend’s rugby around the Bay, including a tight Super 8 clash between Tauranga Boys’ and Rotorua Boys’, Sean’s fast-paced Premier game at Greerton, Sam’s trip out to Te Teko v Ruatoki, and Tiana’s own return to the middle before backing it up as an AR. We also revisit the scrum themes from this week’s education sessions and look ahead to the next round of Baywide rugby and the Baywide social night in Rotorua.Whistler of the Week: Tiana Ngawati-Anderson, after a strong return to the whistle and backing it up across the weekend.Relevant links:• World Rugby Junior World Championship appointments: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/1044169/match-official-panel-confirmed-for-world-rugby-junior-world-championship-2026• Great American Scrum Championship: https://www.majorleague.rugby/the-great-american-scrum-championship• Bay of Plenty Rugby merch store: https://boprugbymerch.co.nz/• World Rugby Strategic Plan: https://www.world.rugby/organisation/strategic-plan• World Rugby law clarifications: https://passport.world.rugby/laws-of-the-game/law-application-guidelines/Hosts: Sam Fellows, Sean Curragh, Jamie BellGuest: Tiana Ngawati-Anderson

This week on the Bay of Plenty Referee Podcast, we’re joined by Elias Owen, one of our emerging Bay of Plenty referees who has had a big few weeks, including refereeing his first Super 8 match during the school day, earning Whistler of the Week, and being promoted to Panel 4 in our latest mid-season promotions.Elias takes us through how he got into refereeing, what the Super 8 appointment was like, and a brilliant yarn from his recent Auckland interchange weekend, including rugby, referees, Eden Park, and a few stories that probably belonged off-air but made it on anyway.We also recap the weekend’s rugby around the Bay:- close Colts and Premier contests,- a draw between Greerton and Mount,- Elias’ game at Taneatua,- and the latest on discipline from around the grounds.On the education front, we revisit the Scrum Management Pillar, setting standards in the front-row chat, using clear escalation, and understanding what a good scrum picture actually looks like.We also cover this week’s referee and rugby news:- World Rugby’s new 2026–31 strategic plan- Daniel Lienert-Brown’s four-week suspensionWhistler of the Week goes to Malakai Liuaki after a huge few days of stepping up in Eastern Bay rugby.News article links:World Rugby Strategic Plan:https://www.world.rugby/organisation/strategic-planDaniel Lienert-Brown suspension:https://super.rugby/superrugby/news/lienert-brown-handed-four-week-suspension/Hosts: Sam Fellows, Sean Curragh, Jamie BellGuest: Elias Owen

This week on the Bay of Plenty Referee Podcast, we’re joined by James Grieve from Auckland after a full interchange weekend in the Bay.James took the whistle in the middle and then backed it up as an AR afterwards, so we chat about interchange weekends, what referees can learn from seeing a different province operate, and the value of getting outside your usual environment. We also get James’ perspective on refereeing in Auckland across club and school rugby, what’s working well, and what officials are seeing week to week.We also round up a busy week of rugby and referee news, including:- New Zealand Rugby and Touch NZ formally joining forces to recognise touch as the official non-contact summer form of rugby in Aotearoa- South African prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye receiving an 18-month anti-doping ban- Eddie Jones being suspended and docked pay after abusing match officials- World Rugby’s new maul law application guideline coming into effect from 1 June- The launch of Ultimate Sevens, a new global short-format sevens competitionNews links:Touch NZ / NZ Rugby partnership:https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/595630/nz-rugby-and-touch-nz-join-forces-in-bid-to-increase-player-numbersAsenathi Ntlabakanye ban:https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/595283/asenathi-ntlabakanye-banned-for-18-months-and-is-set-to-miss-the-rugby-world-cupEddie Jones sanctioned for abusing officials:https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360978553/eddie-jones-banned-japan-and-given-pay-cut-after-abusingWorld Rugby maul guideline:https://passport.world.rugby/laws-of-the-game/law-application-guidelines/maul-june-2026/Ultimate Sevens:https://ultimatesevens.com/Thanks for listening. You can find the Bay of Plenty Referee Podcast on YouTube, Spotify and major podcast platforms.

This week we’re joined by Shinoa Nikora, one of our Eastern Bay of Plenty referees who has stepped up at exactly the right time, in a part of the province where referee numbers are tight and the work is constant.Shinoa shares her journey from associate refereeing into the middle, why she picked up the whistle to help address the shortage, and what it’s been like combining refereeing with playing and coaching, including how that mix has sharpened her understanding of the game and the laws. [bop-refere...-Quick note (and an apology): you’ll notice Sean is sideways on camera this week. We had a technical mishap during recording, and unfortunately the video orientation issue couldn’t be recovered in editing. Our apologies, we promise Sean is upright in real life. In this episode:Weekend recap: one red card to process (again), Sam’s match at Judea (and the unfortunate club shed/container break-in), and Shinoa’s weekend supporting on the sideline and keeping connected to the game. Education recap: Western Bay session one of the Scrum Technical Pillar, focusing on safety, stability, body shape and building a clear picture of what a good scrum looks like.Referee news: Aimee Barrett‑Theron’s milestone as the most‑capped female referee, and the NBA’s continued crackdown on public criticism of officials after a US$50,000 fine.Whistler of the Week: John “Spooks” Kilkelly, for a massive stretch of being available across multiple days (even when teams didn’t front), plus backing it up with multiple appointments across grades. Week ahead: Baywide Round 6, women’s, juniors and schools in full swing, plus the upcoming interchange weekend with visiting referees and a social catch-up. Hosts: Sam Fellows, Sean Curragh, Jamie BellGuest: Shinoa Nikora#RugbyReferees #MatchOfficials #RugbyUnion #BayOfPlentyRugby #RefereeDevelopment #WahineInRugby Shinoa Nikora, Eastern Bay of Plenty referees, referee shortage, rugby referee pathway, scrum refereeing, NZ Rugby scrum, women in rugby officiating, Baywide rugby, BOP referees podcast, Aimee Barrett-Theron, referee respect, Whistler of the Week.

This week we’re joined by Estelle Whaiapu, a Bay of Plenty match official and World Rugby Television Match Official (TMO), previously recognised by us as a Whistler of the Week and a key contributor within our Referee Management Group, including leading strategy development for the club.Estelle takes us inside the world of high-performance officiating and what it’s really like being a TMO and Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO) at top level, from how the refereeing team prepares, to the discipline of only speaking when you have video evidence, to building connection and trust so the on-field team can make fast, calm decisions under pressure.We also recap the week in Bay of Plenty refereeing:weekend reflections (including more red cards and a citing), plus a Baywide rundown of what’s happening around the traps; a strong Baywide education night with Broncos, connection activities, and a review of tackle/ruck/maul pillars; referee news including Sanix updates and a Rotorua Boys’ result, and discussion on World Rugby’s trial of a slightly smaller ball for women’s competitions;and we name this week’s Whistler of the Week: Elias Owen, stepping up to referee his first Super 8 match during the school day.We finish with a look ahead to a busy week of appointments across Baywide rugby, upcoming education sessions (including scrum focus), and the continued push to bring more people into refereeing through associate referee courses and school programmes.Hosts: Sam Fellows, Jamie Bell, Sean CurraghGuest: Estelle Whaiapu #RugbyReferees #MatchOfficials #RugbyUnion #TMO #BayOfPlentyRugby #RefereeDevelopment