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Honiss hangs up his whistle

Friday 11th July 2008

Final call: Honiss retires after 46 Test appearances

Referee Paul Honiss has announced his retirement from all refereeing after a professional career that has spanned 11 years.

45-year-old Honiss made history in 2007 when he became world rugby's most capped Test referee, surpassing Welshman Derek Bevan's record of 44 Tests, and retires with 46 Test appearances.

Honiss' last Test was the game between Australia and France last weekend.

In all, Honiss refereed in 211 first class matches, including 49 Super 14 fixtures and 71 Air New Zealand Cup games. He also refereed in three Rugby World Cup tournaments in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

Honiss started his international career in 1997 when he refereed the international between Tahiti and the Cook Islands. At provincial level he started and finished his career in Waikato but over the years was also a representative referee for Canterbury, Southland and Taranaki.

NZRU General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen thanked Honiss for his contribution to rugby in New Zealand.

"Paul has given New Zealand and world rugby exemplary service over the past 11 years and is rightly regarded as one of world rugby's leading referees. He has received several accolades during this time on the world stage, which is fitting recognition for his outstanding contribution to rugby in this country," Sorensen said.

In 2005 and 2006 Honiss was named New Zealand Referee of the Year.

He said he had no regrets about retiring.

"The past decade has been thoroughly enjoyable," Honiss said.

"I have been fortunate to be one of the first to pioneer our professional era of refereeing, control a vast amount of memorable matches, referee at great venues around the world and meet some of the world's most influential people of our time.

"I certainly look back on my career with fond memories and am excited about the new chapter of my life."

Honiss will take up the role of National Customer Relations Manager of Downer EDI Works in Hamilton in August.