Century up for referee Noble-Campbell

Wellington Premier referee Gordon Noble-Campbell kicking off his 100th Premier Wellington club rugby match last weekend. Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/wgtnrra

The rules of rugby are fine, it’s when players try to interpret them differently that they become a problem, says Wellington’s most-capped referee Gordon Noble-Campbell. And having just refereed his 100th premier game he’s eminently qualified to make that claim.

At just 47 years of age Gordon has achieved a rugby refereeing milestone that few others have achieved and he’s done it in ten short years. His refereeing career started in 1995 when he controlled a game at Scots College but his first premier game was not till 2003.

By day he’s an investment executive but when he is kitted out in his refereeing gear he’s rugby to the core.

When it comes to refereeing Gordon is a? man of few words. "My personal philosophy is to say as little as possible when on the field," he says. The biggest challenge he finds is at the break-down. "The break-down is difficult because so much happens in such a short time."

There have been as many highlights in Gordon’s refereeing career as there have been games, but reaching his 100th with the whistle has to be right up there with the best.

"I had 99 games behind me so there were no nerves, it was just another day in the office, but? what a memorable day at the office it was."

Another highlight that springs readily to Gordon’s mind is the time he was assistant referee for a Wellington-Southland semifinal. It was a great game but he got a bit offside with the Wellington fans when he had to rule on a try for Southland.

Gordon has been involved in most forms of the game and acted as in-goal official for the Sevens.? He got to travel to Japan to ply his trade too. The fact that he’s a fluent speaker of Japanese would have helped him immensely.

So, after having control of 100 premier games now are there any rules that Gordon Noble-Campbell would change?

"If you play the game by the rules in the book then the game is perfect,” he says.

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