IRB select Henning to select referees
Tappe Henning, recently retired from refereeing international rugby, has been appointed by the International Rugby Board to its five-man committee that selects referees.
He has just finished a career that saw him referee some 250 first class matches from 1993 to his retirement in 2006.
Henning takes the place of Dick Byers of Australia and joins David Pickering (chairman), Bob Francis of New Zealand, Michel Lamoulie of France and Steve Hilditch of Ireland as well as Kevin Bowring as the coaches’ representative. At 45 Henning will be the youngest of them and with O’Brien will have had the experience of refereeing in the professional era when the pressures on referees from the nature of the job and the travel involved, is far greater than it was in amateur days.
South Africa nominated Henning for the position, the IRB examined his credentials and then the IRB Chairman, Syd Millar, David Pickering, Billy Beaumont and Paddy O’Brien interviewed him.
In making the announcement Paddy O’Brien, the IRB’s referee manager, said: “The IRB is delighted that Tappe Henning has joined the IRB Referee Selectors Panel. Tappe has a wealth of experience as a referee at the highest level, is meticulous in his preparation and has a real passion for officiating. I am sure that he will make a significant positive contribution to the panel.
“I would also like to thank Dick Byres for his tremendous service to the panel over the past decade. Dick has been an invaluable team player and I know I speak for the entire panel when I say that I wish him all the very best for the future.”
Andre Watson, the manager of South African referees, was thrilled at this achievement by his friend and colleague. He said: “It’s an amazing appointment. I am thrilled for Tappe and know he will do the IRB and refereeing in general proud.
“He comes fresh from refereeing at the top level and has proved his astuteness and administrative ability as the head selector for South African referees on SANZAR. His performance in SANZAR has been appreciated and has stood him in good stead. It is a pity that he will no longer be able to play as large a role within South African refereeing but there will be someone else to take his place. It is more important for him to fulfil himself on the world stage.”
Henning himself did not hide his delight at being selected to this new position. He said: “I am pleased and happy to have this new opportunity to serve rugby, specifically refereeing. It is a big responsibility, especially in this World Cup year. Quite frankly it is exciting.
“It’s a huge challenge and a great learning opportunity but I can face it with confidence after my SANZAR experience.
“I am also pleased and proud that South Africa saw fit to nominate me and that it is a South African who has been chosen for the position on one of the IRB’s subcommittees.”
Henning leaves soon for the IRB’s Under-19 World Championship in Belfast where he will be part of the team evaluating, coaching and caring for the referees. He will also have the opportunity to discuss with O’Brien his new position and what role he will still be able to play within South African refereeing.
Henning was born in Nigel on 6 June 1961. His nickname he inherited from his grandfather. After his playing career with the Police club in Pretoria he joined the Northern Transvaal Referees’ Society in 1986 and came onto provincial panels in 1993. He refereed a Currie Cup final in 1995, his first year on the Currie Cup panel, and in 1997 the Super 12 final, just the second Super 12 final. In 1995 he refereed his first Test – Scotland against Samoa at Murrayfield. In all he refereed 20 Tests, making him the third most capped South African referee after Andre Watson and Jonathan Kaplan. He refereed nearly 250 first class matches, including 53 Super rugby matches.
