In the latest Advantage Over podcast episode, I’m joined by New Zealand Rugby’s Mike Hester to chat about their law variations for the 2023 rugby season – important for all referees in Aeoteroa but also for those in other Unions where tackle height is on the agenda.
Mike is the Participation Development Manager and has a game-wide brief to grow the game for all across New Zealand.
We hear from Mike about:
- His background as an elite referee – in football!
- His shift into game participation
- The shape of New Zealand rugby and the challenges they face
- The lower tackle height changes in New Zealand for 2023 and what’s behind them
- Other changes in the game – scrum half restrictions, 1.5m push
- Future consultation on changes to the breakdown
- Referee recruitment and retention in NZ – this is the research Mike mentions about the early refereeing experience of community referees
More on the changes: New Zealand Rugby game innovations 2023
Contact Mike via LinkedIn
If you have any comments about this episode, or suggestions for future shows, then drop me a line at ref@rugbyreferee.net!
