Referee continues as assistant referee until 6 months pregnant with a pregnancy policy being adopted by the RFU
The Wh Top NewsWednesday, 08 March 2023 at 11:27
Holly Wood says attitudes at the RFU are changing as the rugby referee continued to officiate at six months' pregnant.
The assistant official, who running up and down the Twickenham touchline during Harlequins’ Women's Big Game fixture looked nothing out of the ordinary to the casual fan inside the stadium at the weekend.
However, speaking exclusively to The Telegraph, Wood has now revealed she six and a half months pregnant and will be putting her refereeing career on hold.
Wood said: “I’d never refereed at Twickenham, so it was a great game to sign off on,
“My abs have started to strain a bit when I’m sprinting, so I won't be able to do my job properly for much longer.”
Revealing why she kept his pregnancy a secret, Wood said: "They probably would have s--- themselves, because this hasn’t been done before,
"They probably would have said no (continuing to referee). If I wanted to continue, I knew I had to keep my pregnancy a secret."
Wood has taken charge of 25 rugby matches while pregnant, with a further 21 as an assistant.
She also recalled a particular comical moment during a referee training day with some of English rugby’s top officials.
She said: “I was in the gym and starting to show, and the guys were all looking at me - Wayne Barnes and Luke Pearce were there - and Tom Foley was trying to work out how far gone I was.”
The strange and wonderful day jobs of the 2023 Six Nations referee’s revealed
However, behind the glitz and glamour of the Six Nations, many world-class referees have had to work around the clock to fulfill their rugby dream.
Day jobs of the 2023 Six Nations:
#1. Ben O'Keeffe
Manu Tuilagi of England is shown a red card and sent off by Referee, Ben O'Keeffe during the Guinness Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on March 7 2020. - PHOTO: Cameron Geran/PPAUK
Age: 34
Nationality: New Zealand
Occupation: Eye Doctor
Six Nations games: England v France
One of New Zealand's six full-time referees, O'Keeffe is also a qualified doctor specialising in ophthalmology, which deals with eye health and disease.
Ben O'Keeffe facts:
O'Keeffe became an amateur referee for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) in 2013 having started officiating in 2008 at the age of 19
He grew up in Blenheim, New Zealand and attended Marlborough Boys' College where he was head boy in 2006.
O'Keeffe's brother, Michael O'Keeffe, represented New Zealand at the 2012 London Olympics in football
Ben O'Keeffe toughest player to referee: Ma'a Nonu
O'Keeffe said: "I think like Ma’a Nonu, yeah he was pretty tough. I’ve noticed over the last few years that players are just a lot bigger, a lot faster and a lot stronger.
"I trained with the Highlanders pre-season one year and you get a real appreciation of how big, fit and hard they hit. That just remind me why I just I love refereeing – so I don’t have to take those big hits."
#2. Wayne Barnes
Referee, Wayne Barnes during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate on 29 Jan. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Age: 43
Nationality: English
Occupation: Barrister
Six Nations games: Ireland v France
The 41-year-old is an English international rugby union referee and barrister. It was law he studied at university and a career as a barrister he pursued after graduating, but as he started to progress up the ranks as a referee the RFU offered to employ him in 2005. He’s now refereed more Premiership games than any other official.
Wayne Barnes facts:
- When not on the pitch or working with the England team, Barnes is a practising barrister
- Barnes started playing rugby at the age of eight, and took up refereeing aged 15 with Gloucester & District Referees
- He also has two young children, Juno and Beau with wife Polly.
Wayne Barnes toughest player to referee Richie McCaw
BARNES SAID: “Richie always had the knack of asking the right question at the right time, sometimes it felt like I was losing a little bit of control. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t talk a lot on the field. He knew the law book inside out and so when he asked a question, he often had a point.”
#3. Jaco Peyper
Referee, Jaco Peyper watches the TMO for a potential shoulder charge during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
Age: 42
Nationality: South African
Occupation: Lawyer
Six Nations games: Ireland v England
The 38-year-old still operates as an attorney for his family business, Peyper Attorneys while continuing to be one of the worlds best referees.
#4. Andrew Brace
Referee, Andrew Brace consults with the TMO after a tackle in the air by Siya Kolisi, Captain of South Africa on Joe Marchant of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Age: 34
Nationality: Irish/Welsh
Occupation: Musician
Six Nations games: Scotland vs Wales
He is a grade eight violinist. His violin teacher was the mother of TV presenter Gethin Jones.
Andrew Brace toughest player to referee: Marcel Coetzee
Brace said: “ I think one of the toughest players I’ve refereed would be Marcel Coetzee. He’s such a physical player who never takes a backward step.”
#5. Nigel Owens
Referee, Nigel Owens during the Heineken Champions Cup Final Match between Exeter Chiefs and Racing 92 at Ashton Gate, Bristol on the 17 Oct. PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Age: 51
Nationality: Welsh
Occupation: Farmer
Six Nations games: Pundit
The popular Welshman had an interest in farming since he was a young kid and it has always played a huge part in his life away from the rugby field.
Over the years, Owens has been able to save up to buy his own farm with his partner Barrie and so far they've built up 26 pedigree Hereford cattle.
Nigel Owens facts:
Owens was born and raised in the village of Mynyddcerrig, near Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire
In May 2007, Owens publicly came out as gay in an interview with Wales on Sunday
His long-term partner is Barrie Jones-Davies, a primary school teacher from Llandovery
Owens started refereeing in 1987, after his sports teacher John Beynon suggested he take up refereeing after a school game
His first game was an under-15s match between Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire at the age of 16
Nigel Owens toughest player to referee: Austin Healey
OWENS SAID: “Definitely. I only caught him towards the end of his career, thankfully. A wonderfully talented player and a very good pundit now, but he always had plenty say and quickly assumed I didn’t like him. He’s actually blocked me on Twitter, but I don’t think I’m the only one.”
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading
