- Paul Honiss
Paul Gerard Honiss (born
18 June 1963 ) is aNew Zealander , currently residing in Hamilton and is a retiredrugby union referee .Honiss who hung up his whistle as an international rugby union referee in July 2008, currently holds the record of the most test matches refereed, being 46. [cite press release|url=http://allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=8336 |title=NZRU farewells Paul Honiss |publisher=
New Zealand Rugby Union |date=2008-07-11 |accessdate=2008-09-29] He first started to try refereeing in 1984 and made his international referee debut in 1997 in aRugby World Cup qualifier between Tahiti and the Cook Islands.Honiss would subsequently be selected to officiate at the
1999 Rugby World Cup inWales , and the2003 Rugby World Cup inAustralia . He was also selected as a referee for the2007 Rugby World Cup inFrance .During the 2007 World Cup, Honiss equalled the record for most Tests as referee held by Wales'
Derek Bevan when he took charge of his 44th Test, the Pool D match between Argentina and Ireland on30 September . He broke the record when he presided over the third-place match between Argentina and France on19 October . [cite web|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2019835.html#referee+honiss+break+world+record |title=Referee Honiss set to break world record |author=Rugby News Service |publisher=Rugby World Cup |date=2007-10-19 |accessdate=2007-10-19]His final match in charge was between Australia and France, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, with the home team winning 40-10. [cite press release|url=http://www.rugby.com.au/matches/tournaments/bundaberg_rum_rugby_series/2008/qantas_wallabies_v_france_2,91817.html |title=Match details | publisher=Australian rugby |date=2008-07-05]
Trivia
A
hockey andtennis court in Saint John's College of Hamilton, New Zealand is named after him, an old boy of the school.Notes and references
External links
* [http://www.rwc2003.irb.com/EN/Tournament/Match+Officials/Officials/Paul+Honiss.htm Paul Honiss] on rwc2003.irb.com
* [http://www.irb.com/EN/News/070426+DR+WC7+Match+Officials.htm Rugby World Cup 2007 match official appointments set] IRB.com
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