Fijian ref heads for South Africa
James Bolabiu, Fiji's top referee, is heading to South Africa for two months of refereeing. He is one of the world's promising referees.
Bolabiu was recently an assistant referee to Craig Joubert and Mark Lawrence in Bledisloe Cup matches, first in Sydney, then in Auckland.
The International Rugby Board, keen to develop referees worldwide and wanting referees from "smaller" nations to have a chance to break through into the top echelons of refereeing. At present the top referees come form England, Ireland, Wales, France, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Bolabiu has had experience in several parts of the world. Last year he became the first Fijian to referee on the IRB's Sevens World circuit. Last year he was at the Under-19 World Championship In Northern Ireland and this year in the Junior World Championship in Wales. He has refereed in the Pacific Nations Cup, including the deciding match between Australia A and the Maori. He also refereed in the Pacific Nations Cup. On the Sevens circuit he had a full house, refereeing in Dubai, George, Wellington, San Diego, Hong Kong, Adelaide, London and Scotland. This will not be his first trip to South Africa.
The South African appointments have been made for August. He has appointments for an Under-19 match on 16 August (Valke vs Eastern Province), and Under-21 match on 22 August (Leopards vs Blue Bulls) and a compulsory friendly between Currie Cup teams, Pumas and Griquas, on 29 August.
After his experiences as an assistant referee to Joubert and Lawrence, Bolabiu said the Tri-Nations experience had lifted his game after learning from some of the best in the world.
He said: "I can feel that I'm a better match official then when I left. It was such a great experience ... I was able to learn so many things. It was a different ball game all together. To officiate at that level was a different story.
"I was a bit nervous at first, especially coming into the changing room and seeing these star players. The crowd was so vocal during the national anthems and after kick-off but I was able to do my normal thing.
"I'm really happy with my form and I think I performed to what the IRB expected of me.
"I was able to mingle with top referees in the world, especially Mark Lawrence and Craig Joubert. I learnt a lot from them."
On his call to officiate in South Africa, he said, "I had a meeting with Paddy O'Brien in New Zealand and I have been appointed to officiate at the Currie Cup.
"I will be leaving for South Africa next week. It's a good opportunity to officiate at a different level and I think the IRB is trying to keep me exposed to a high level of competition. I think the IRB is happy with my performance, which is why I'm getting these appointments. I've been given this opportunity to go to South Africa which indicates that I'm performing to what they expect of me."
Born on Kadavu Island, Fiji, Bolabiu is 25 years of age.
Nacanieli Naceba, the boss of Fiji's referees, said: "Considering his age, he has achieved a lot already.
"He deserves it because he has worked hard for it.
"His continued progress to the top has opened up opportunities for the association. Because of his success, the IRB Referees Association has taken more interest in us and we are enjoying more IRB certified referees and coaching clinics ... things that we found hard to come by in the past."