TOUGHEST PLAYER TO REFEREE:
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.”
Embed from Getty ImagesQUICKFIRE QUESTIONS:
Favourite stadium to ref in? For me personally I’d lean towards the likes of Clermont, Marcel Michelin stadium or the Stade Mayol in Toulon, even la Rochelle when I did la Rochelle v Gloucester in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup a few years ago. The atmosphere in those places is electric which always lifts the intensity of those matches in Europe and so they are very special games to be involved in.
Who is your sporting hero? Joost van der Westhuizen was always the player I admired growing up, as a scrum half myself I related a lot to the way he played but Paul O’Connell would be up there for me. Just seeing what he achieved and gave to the game. A guy who was just so ferocious on the field and his will to win would rise to any occasion, yet the moment the final whistle went, he’d almost be a different person who would be the first to give up time to help you out.
What is your ACME whistle of choice? I’ve always used an ACME Thunder – A 58.5 I think it is. Although I’ve changed my main whistle a few times, my spare is always one I take with me in games as it was one my sister got engraved for me in my first professional game – ‘Embrace life’s dreams’.
Who inspired you to pick up the whistle? I’d have to say Johnny Lacey. I wouldn’t be in the position I am now if it wasn’t for his support. He’s a close friend of mine and he’s the type of person that will always put others before himself and give 110% to help you succeed. Having somebody in your corner like that is invaluable for your development.
Which area of the game is the hardest to referee? Certainly the breakdown would be up there, there’s so much going on now and with an average of 190 rucks a game you can find a penalty at almost every breakdown. I believe the changes made since 2015 RWC have certainly helped with a stronger focus on the tackler to allow quicker ball – and that’s what everybody wants to see at the end of the day. Without moving into a different area of the game, I would also say lineout maul is becoming much harder to referee, because again there’s just so much to look at in a split moment.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen on a rugby pitch? It was my first European Cup game live on Sky Sports and into the first 20 minutes I get bumped over by James Haskell and my whistle goes straight into the mud. It was only 2 minutes later when I needed to blow the whistle for a penalty that I realised the whistle was completely filled with mud as nothing was happening and the players continuing playing – a referees’ worst nightmare! Luckily enough the players eventually stopped – but we then had to search the Ricoh Arena to find a spare one. Needless to say, I now always carry my spare with me.
Who is the best player you’ve refereed? There are so many great players out there, but I would have to say a Rory Best or Sam Warburton would be up there. Two great players who would leave it all out there but really forced you to make decisions as a referee, particularly when jackling for a turnover – they were both relentless as they competed at every opportunity so every breakdown a decision would have to be made.
Who is the toughest player you’ve refereed? 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.
What three things would you take to a desert island? I’d have to go practical. I love my food so a knife; probably an inflatable raft so you have to get off the island at the same stage but also you need a shelter; and my Acme whistle of course for attention 😉
Do you have any hidden talents? The one that always comes up is that I played the violin a lot when I was younger, I got to grade 8 before I focused on sport so I’d say I was ok at that. My claim to fame was playing with Gethin Jones as his mother was my violin teacher in school!
Who would be your three dream dinner party guests, and why? I think David Attenborough would be awesome; maybe a bit of Ed Sheeran for the music and can’t forget Margot Robbie to top it off…. Mrs won’t be pleased with that one lol!
What would you like to achieve outside of rugby? I think I’d like a fresh challenge after being involved in player/coach development for 10 years but you never say never. I’ve always wanted to start my own business or maybe work in Sports Nutrition. I might even pick up the violin up again !
Which two teams would you love to referee? There are so many special games I’d love to be involved in, but I think topping the list at present would be Australia v South Africa – as they’re two International teams I haven’t reffed yet.
How do you prepare for a game? Do you have a pre-game ritual? I didn’t until a few years ago when my grandmother passed and I was handed down her old school whistle by my late Father. I was really close to my Nan who was from Belgium, and during the war she was a teacher and refereed the odd basketball games. My Nan never threw anything away and Dad found this whistle when sorting out some of her things in the house and knew just the right home for it. So now I always have that hanging over my jersey before I go on the pitch.
Are any of your family also referees? Does it run in the family? No – I’m the first.
To find out more about whistles for referees or coaching, visit www.acmewhistles.co.uk.