Renowned New Zealand referee Brendon Pickerill is stepping away from officiating, with his last match scheduled for this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific showdown between Moana Pasifika and the Melbourne Rebels.
His choice mirrors that of Wayne Barnes, Jaco Peyper, Tom Foley, and Joy Neville, all of whom retired from officiating for various reasons after the recent tournament in France.
New Zealand Rugby officially announced Pickerill's retirement on Tuesday through a concise statement shared across their social media platforms.
“After 151 first-class matches, including 10 Test matches, 60 Super Rugby matches, and 58 NPC matches, Brendon Pickerill has made the tough decision to hang up his whistle,” their Instagram post read.
“Known for his consistency, proficiency, and calm nature on the pitch, and his professionalism and passion for the game off of the pitch, we wish Brendon well on his next adventure. Ngā mihi nui, you’ll always be part of the NZR whānau.”
How much do Six Nations rugby referees get paid? Is it worth it?
In the high-stakes world of rugby, referees hold the pivotal role of arbitrating the game's intense battles on the field.
With each whistle blow, their decisions can sway the outcome, making their job one of the toughest in sports.
But what's the price tag on this responsibility?
Referees' earnings hinge on their category: rookies, women, or seasoned pros. For those new to the scene, like rookies and female referees, the paycheck typically hovers around £400 per match, summing up to roughly £16k annually.
Yet, it's the seasoned professionals who rake in the big bucks. For lower-tier clashes, they can pocket a cool £1.2k, while officiating at the main events could fetch them a hefty £2.2k per match, boasting an impressive yearly income of £160k.
However, the spotlight shines even brighter for the illustrious 2024 Six Nations referees, with reports swirling that they'll command a staggering £5k per game.
Now that's a payday worth blowing the whistle for!
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Day jobs of Six Nations referee's
1 Ben O'Keeffe - Eye Doctor
Ben O'Keeffe is one of New Zealand's six full-time rugby referees. Alongside O'Keeffe's on-field role, which sees him take charge of Super Rugby's most exciting talents, the 34-year-old is also a fully-qualified ophthalmologist or eye doctor.
Dr Ben specialises in eye health and disease, and he is the Director and Founder of oDocs Eye Care. O'Keeffe established the organisation eight years ago, with the company striving to end preventable blindness through state of the art techniques.
The goal of oDocs is to make eye care more affordable across the globe, with the rugby referee at the heart of the ground-breaking progressions.
Referee, Ben O'Keeffe watches the TMO for a tackle against George North of Wales during the Guinness Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on March 7 2020. - PHOTO: Cameron Geran/PPAUK
2. Jaco Peyper - Lawyer
When he wasn't laying down the law on the rugby pitch, South African referee Jaco Peyper operates as an Attorney for his family business. Peyper Attorneys are legal representatives who work on court cases across South Africa.
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
Wayne Barnes - Barrister
Well known to fans of the Premiership and International test matches, Wayne Barnes is one of the most on-the-ball officials across rugby.
Barnes has earnt the on-field respect from players and rugby fans alike, yet away from the pitch the 44-year-old is a barrister, and one of the founding members of Fulcrum Chambers.
Barnes is a Director of Fulcrum Group Services, with his areas of expertise lying in White Collar Crime, Corporate Governance and Compliance, Asset Forfeiture and Tracing and Confiscation. Barnes also heads up their Sports Law team and uses his experience of supporting corporate clients whilst still being heavily involved at the top end of professional sport.
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
4. Nigel Owens - Farmer
Despite calling time on his on-field refereeing career, legendary Welsh referee Nigel Owens has previously appeared as a pundit for BBC Sport, lending his thoughts on high-profile refereeing decisions.
The stage is set for Owens to once again have his say on the competition's refereeing calls, but away from the sport Owens is a keen farmer in his homeland.
Owens lives off the land in the Gwendraeth Valley some 15 miles north-west of Swansea. Long before he was dishing out discipline in his trademark style,
Owens started out working on a dairy farm near his childhood home in the village of Mynyddcerrig. He was a keen member of Llanarthne Young Farmers Club, too.
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
#5. 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
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.”
