Behind the whistle with Ben O’Keeffe - Lions Tour edition

The British & Irish Lions Tour kicks off later this month – this time with Australia hosting (arguably) the world’s greatest touring team. This will be the first time in eight years that fans will be able to watch games live and 12 years since The Lions were last in Oz.

The experts at ACME Whistles were able to grab an exclusive interview with one of the officials on the ground, international referee Ben O’Keeffe (NZ), to find out more about the tour, what to expect and how much he still looks forward to every game he officiates.

“The Lions Tour is one of the biggest on the rugby stage,” starts Ben O’Keeffe.

“First there's excitement and then that rolls into nervousness because of how big it is, but then it rolls back into excitement. So you have all these rollercoaster of emotions about refereeing on the biggest stage and the opportunity to go out there and test myself.

“You always have to back yourself in these big moments, and I believe that the three of us that are chosen to be in the middle for the big games are well positioned to put in a really good performance for the tour and ultimately, that's what we want.”

Speaking about Suncorp – one of the tour’s host stadiums, O’Keeffe refers back to a memory of being there before, adding:

“I've refereed there many times and I've done some test matches there as well. It's a great rugby stadium.”

This isn’t Bens first Lions Tour, but will be the first with crowds which he expects will create a very different atmosphere. He added:

“I just remember last time I refereed the Lions, I was looking down the tunnel imagining what it would be like, seeing the fans outside and just the incredible atmosphere that comes with the tour. The last Lions Tour was unique for many reasons!”

“I can't wait to experience it now. And I think what that nervousness and you know the ‘what ifs’ of what's going to happen means that we're going to be really locked into this tour.

“However, for our team of officials, it’s business as usual. Yes, it's a big game on one of the world’s biggest stages, but we are there to do a job and oversee an exciting, competitive game of rugby.

“And you know, the work has already started for us to be able to put a good performance on.

“I know my refereeing team well so am sure we’re going to be really sharp in terms of how we operate as a team and then, you know, the rest will just be history.

“Although in some ways it's just another day in the office – The Lions tour is special and I'm sure it’s one I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Despite a long career in refereeing, it’s clear Ben still revels in the small things when it comes to each tour he goes on and match he officiates.

“It’s true. Even the fact that I've done test matches before, I still get really excited when going out to another Test match because it is new. You've never done that actual game before.

“It'll be the same thing with The World Cup – I’ll never have done The World Cup in Australia before, so even though we've done World Cups previously, that'll still be exciting if we're selected for that.

“Every Lions series is exciting because that atmosphere around it, I think is what we love about rugby. You know, hearing the chant from the travelling fans I think is going to be one of those experiences that will follow me for the rest of my career.”

When asked if there’s a difference between a Test match and a Lions Tour match, Ben replies:

“When you do a one-off Test match it's a one-off Test match. You go in there and you leave and fly away to do another game. But in July when you normally do a three-game test series that's a little bit different because you're locked in, you've got the same referees, the same players for the series.

“So, you have to go through the highs and lows of the rollercoaster within that series and the Lions is almost another level on top of that - this is the biggest three-game series that happens every four years.

“So, I think just being in Australia, travelling around the different cities, being part of the warm-up games as well is all going to be adding to our experience as referees.

“Once we get onto the field for the main series, we'll obviously feel the crowd, but then there will also be the usual post-game analysis, the criticism, the reward, the support – it will all be a lot bigger than with other international games.”

When asked what it is about a Lions Tour that is so special, Ben responded:

“Well, I think it's the history behind it. There's a lot of history behind the Lions tours that date way back. People still talk about some of those really game defining moments that are now highlights on people's social media.

“And I think people want to be involved in the Lions series because it only happens every four years, and only happens every 12 years for those in the other countries.

“I think it’s a competition for people who love rugby. It continues to offer a unique fan experience combining the top teams and the British and Irish Lions versus the top teams in the Southern hemisphere.

“And I do think that a lot of it has been the British and Irish Lions supporters in terms of how they travel and support. It wouldn't be the same if you didn't have that type of support and people willing to travel. The fact that they get behind it, it's fantastic.

“I think it's going to be an incredibly tight series, and I think with the Australian fans, and how much they love rugby; the amazing stadiums; and the beautiful cities - it's really set up to be an amazing tour.”

Throughout the tour, Ben will travel back and forth to his home in New Zealand, but will watch every game he’s not refereeing to analyse them ahead of the games he will officiate.

“It's important to have that break from rugby and go back and forth a little bit. I think it's important to actually be part of the Lions series fully when it's on so we'll be fully engaged as a team when that happens. But yeah it's nice to come home, get the washing done, say hi to my fiancé.

“However I hope she'll be able to come over for a few games as well, so I'm excited for her to experience the Lions tour as well.

“But yeah, it is easy travelling from New Zealand to Australia. I think if it was in South Africa, it would be a little bit harder. We'd just be away for longer, so you know, pros and cons for both.”

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