Page 23 - Ed2 League Lens Draft 3
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GREEN MAKING MOVES
Auckland referee Joseph Green Part of that plan meant Green said it hasn’t been an
is ticking boxes, with some big selection to officiate a New easy journey, but the support
games being played under his Zealand Warriors selection v Pt from the ARL Referees
whistle before the 2018 season Chevalier Pirates scrimmage in Association has been
had even kicked off. February. incredible.
The 17-year-old was selected As he enters his fourth year of “He’s young, but there’s
to officiate New Zealand refereeing this season, Green no mistaking his role as a
Warriors trial games in has already played a leading
February, in preparation for role in a number of referee when he’s on
the start of the club’s Jersey tournaments and grand finals that field.”
Flegg and Intrust Super within Auckland.
Premiership seasons. “We have our association
meetings every Monday and we
New Zealand Rugby discuss everything
League referee from rules to field
manager, Luke positioning,” he
Watts, said Green said.
has been identified
by both the NRL “Through these
and NZRL as one of meetings I’ve met
New Zealand’s people like David
most-promising Pakieto, Steve
officials, and been Jelicich and John
earmarked for a McKeown, who
potential career in have helped a lot
the NRL.
in my
development.
“Joseph first came
to the attention of the NZRL as ARL referees development “It certainly hasn’t been an
a 14-year-old linesmen in officer, Steve Jelicich, echoed easy process to get to where I
Auckland,” Watts said. the positive opinions of the am today but I’ve set myself
youngster.
goals of becoming a better
referee and officiating a few
“He’s young, but there’s “We’ve given him the more top-level games this
no mistaking his role as a opportunity to referee back-to- season.
referee when he’s on back tournaments in Australia,
that field.” including the NZ secondary “I look up to Chris McMillan,
schools v NSW combined high who comes from a touch
schools matches, and a number referee background like
of junior grand finals in myself, and in the short
Auckland competitions,”
“He has been part of the NZRL Jelicich said. amount of time he’s been
Referee Academy – which refereeing league he’s gone so
identifies referees suitable to far in becoming an NRL touch
enter NRL pathways – since “He’s young, but there’s no judge and 2018 World Cup
2017, with a specific two to mistaking his role as a referee touch judge, and his work
three-year development plan when he’s on that field.” ethic is very high… it shows
suited for him to progress how hard he’s worked to get to
further.” where he is today.”
