Famous NZ ref dies suddenly

At the age of 75 Dave Millar, a famous referee, died on 1 September.

In days when there were far fewer big matches and far, far fewer Test opportunities, Millar refereed 70 first-class matches in a representative career spanning almost 20 years from 1961 to 1980. Millar also refereed sevenTest matches, between 1965 and 1978 - the fourth Test in the 1965 series between the All Blacks and the Springboks, one between New Zealand and France in 1968, two of the All Blacks Tests against the touring Lions in 1977 and all three Tests in the All Blacks' series against Australia in 1978.

NZRU High Performance Referee Manager Keith Lawrence paid tribute to Millar's on-field and off-field contribution to New Zealand rugby and refereeing, saying: "Not only did Dave Millar have an outstanding first-class career, but he also became an outstanding administrator, serving as New Zealand Rugby Referees Association (NZRRA) Chairman from 1987 to 1991. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

In 1992 Millar received New Zealand rugby refereeing's top honour when he was made a Life Member of the New Zealand Rugby Referees' Association.

David Howard Millar was born in Dunedin on 25 March 1932. His funeral will be held in Wanaka on Wednesday.