12 Nov 2015

Pollock retires from international rugby

11:21 am on 12 November 2015

New Zealand's most senior referee Chris Pollock is retiring from international rugby.

New Zealand rugby referee Chris Pollock

New Zealand rugby referee Chris Pollock Photo: PHOTOSPORT

43 year old Pollock has returned to full time teaching in his home town province in Hawke's Bay.

New Zealand Rugby General Manager Rugby Neil Sorensen acknowledged the contribution the 22-Test veteran referee had made to New Zealand, and international refereeing.

"Chris has given a huge amount to this game both at the provincial and international level. This year, he was our most experienced referee on the field with 192 first class matches to his name including the 22 internationals Tests, two Rugby World Cup tournaments, 70 Super Rugby matches, and nine Ranfurly Shield challenges.

"We are very grateful to Chris for the huge contribution he has made to the game.

"We hope he will continue to be involved in rugby and share his knowledge and experience with up and coming referees both at the provincial and national level," Sorensen said.

Meanwhile the New Zealand referee Glen Jackson will control two games in the Six Nations rugby championship in the new year.

Jackson will take charge of the Italy-England game in Rome and the Scotland-France game in Edinburgh.

He is the only New Zealand referee inviolved in the championship following the retirement of Chris Pollock.

Jackson will also be an assistant referee for the Ireland-Wales game in Dublin, while fellow New Zealanders Ben O'Keefe and Nick Bryant will also run the touch in games, and Ben Skeen will be the TMO for 3 games.

The South African referee Craig Joubert, who was in charge of the controversial finish to the Australia-Scotland World Cup quarter-final, will control the England-Wales game at Twickenham, while he'll run the touch for the Ireland-Scotland game in Dublin.