This week on the Bay of Plenty Referee Podcast, we’re joined by Elias Owen, one of our emerging Bay of Plenty referees who has had a big few weeks, including refereeing his first Super 8 match during the school day, earning Whistler of the Week, and being promoted to Panel 4 in our latest mid-season promotions.

Elias takes us through how he got into refereeing, what the Super 8 appointment was like, and a brilliant yarn from his recent Auckland interchange weekend, including rugby, referees, Eden Park, and a few stories that probably belonged off-air but made it on anyway.

We also recap the weekend’s rugby around the Bay:

- close Colts and Premier contests,

- a draw between Greerton and Mount,

- Elias’ game at Taneatua,

- and the latest on discipline from around the grounds.

On the education front, we revisit the Scrum Management Pillar, setting standards in the front-row chat, using clear escalation, and understanding what a good scrum picture actually looks like.

We also cover this week’s referee and rugby news:

- World Rugby’s new 2026–31 strategic plan

- Daniel Lienert-Brown’s four-week suspension

Whistler of the Week goes to Malakai Liuaki after a huge few days of stepping up in Eastern Bay rugby.

News article links:

World Rugby Strategic Plan:

https://www.world.rugby/organisation/strategic-plan

Daniel Lienert-Brown suspension:

https://super.rugby/superrugby/news/lienert-brown-handed-four-week-suspension/

Hosts: Sam Fellows, Sean Curragh, Jamie Bell

Guest: Elias Owen