Test ref capping v2

Searching for next of kin of Test referees

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is looking for the families of 37 Test referees who have passed away so they can receive a special cap in their loved one’s honour.

Next month, NZR will be holding an event culminating a project to officially cap all referees who have overseen an international Test match. The group includes close to 90 referees overall, and spans from New Zealand’s very first Test referee in 1899 to the current elite officials.

As part of this, NZR hopes to find family members of referees who have passed away. Some of these will be descendants of referees active over 100 years ago, while others will have close relatives able to attend the event and receive a cap.

While next of kin has been found for a small handful of deceased referees, it is hoped that the wider rugby whānau will be able to assist in honouring this group’s contribution to international rugby.

Former Test Referee Bryce Lawrence, now NZR’s Head of Training and Education, is hoping contacts can be found for as many former referees as possible.

“This capping project has been in the works for a few years now as a way to formally acknowledge the significant part referees have played in New Zealand’s rugby story. It’s important to us that we locate as many family contacts as possible in order to show our appreciation and honour their loved ones on and off the field.”

The list of referees requiring next of kin contact details is below. If you or anyone you know can help identify family contacts for anyone on this list, please contact communications@nzrugby.co.nz

 *denotes that next of kin have since been found. 

 Referee Name

Association

Years active

W.G. Garrard

Canterbury

1899

F.T. Evans

Canterbury

1904

J. Williams

Otago

1905

J. Duncan

Otago

1908

A. Campbell

Auckland

1908

J.L. Simpson

Wellington

1913

A.D. Downes

Otago

1913

G.W. Nicholson

Auckland

1913

E. McKenzie

Wairarapa

1921

A.E. Neilson*

Wellington

1921

S. Hollander

Canterbury

1930 - 1931

F.E. Sutherland

Auckland

1930

J. Moffitt

Wellington

1936

H.J. McKenzie

Wairarapa

1936

L.E. Macassey

Otago

1937

J.S. King*

Wellington

1937

A.S. Fong*

West Coast

1946 - 1950

A.M. Matheson

Taranaki

1946

E.D. Hill*

Auckland

1949

L. Walsh*

Canterbury

1949

E.W.T. Tindill*

Wellington

1950 - 1955

G. Sullivan

Taranaki

1950

A.A. Griffiths

Waikato

1952

J. Frood*

Otago

1952

F.G.M. Parkinson

Manawatu

1955 - 1956

B.H. Wolstenholme

Poverty Bay

1955

W.H.C. Fright

Canterbury

1956

C.R. Gillies*

Waikato

1958 - 1959

R.A. Forsyth

Taranaki

1958

A.L. Fleury*

Otago

1959

J.P. Murphy*

North Auckland

1959 - 1969

A.B. Farquahar

Auckland

1961 - 1964

C.F. Robson*

Waikato

1963

A.R. Taylor*

Canterbury

1965 - 1973

R.F. McMullen*

Auckland

1973

B.W. Duffy*

Taranaki

1977

G.L. Harrison*

Wellington

1979 - 1983