World Cup snub forces Kiwi ref's hand
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New Zealand referee Glen Jackson is weighing up the prospect of calling time on his career after failing to win selection on the referee panel for this year’s World Cup in Japan.
Jackson confirmed speculation surrounding his World Cup omission to Sport24, with a career change now a very real possibility.
World Rugby is yet to release the list of referees who will officiate at the World Cup in four months’ time, but it is believed Ben O’Keefe and Paul Williams will be New Zealand’s representatives.
Should Jackson decide to move away from refereeing, a new career as a coach – whether it be as a referee coach or coaching rugby teams – loomed as a preferable choice.
“I had hoped to be heading to the World Cup in Japan later this year, but I already know that I won’t be,” the 43-year-old said.
“It’s a tough one for me, but we have got a couple of Kiwis going and I hope they do well.
“When it comes to selection, they [World Rugby] decide who they want there.
“My goals have changed a bit after missing out. It was refereeing at the World Cup.
“Now I would love to do another year of Super Rugby. The aim is to carry on for one more year and then possibly get into coaching, whether it be of the referees or in a rugby team.”
Jackson has ample amounts of experience to move into the realm of coaching, with his nine-year officiating career complementing an 11-year playing career, where he played for Bay of Plenty, the Chiefs, Saracens, Maori All Blacks and Barbarians.
He controlled four matches at the 2015 World Cup and went on to feature in five more matches as an assistant referee.
Jackson became the first New Zealander to both play in and referee 100 first-class fixtures that same year.
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