Referees Corner – Issue 7 – 2025/26 – La Rochelle – Interview with Kahu Sturmey

Welcome to another issue of Referees Corner. A very warm welcome to today’s officiating team of Matthew Carley (RFU), Adam Leal, John Meredith and TMO Ian Tempest.

Matthew Carley is a member of the RFU Referees Panel and refereed his first professional game in 2013. He has been an active official in the Six Nations since 2017. His first European match was in 2015 between Munster and Benetton. This was quickly followed by World Rugby appointing him for his first international fixture, between Russia and USA. His first Tier One match was in 2017, between Scotland and New Zealand. Matthew also officiated the opening round of the 2021 Six Nations championship fixture between Italy and France. His first Six Nations game as referee was in the same fixture in 2019. He was also a reserve/assistant referee at the 2019 and a referee at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

I had the opportunity to catch up with Kahu Sturmey from the North East who is refereeing and coaching in Ireland. She is a prominent New Zealand rugby player, known for captaining the Manawatū Cyclones, playing lock for the Super Rugby team Hurricanes Poua, and being a key figure in women’s rugby development. She recently joining Balbriggan RFC as a player-coach in Ireland and is also refereeing.

1. What has you in Ireland and in the north East region?

I was offered an opportunity to play and coach in Balbriggan. This was through Khoas (Sport Consultancy). 

2. How are you finding playing and refereeing here?

Playing for Balbriggan women is fun, I am still adjusting to the team culture and our matches being played on Sundays. We are in Leinster League D1 and the level is pretty similar to our club rugby back in New Zealand. My goal is to share as much knowledge with the team and club to help improve our game as a whole and individuals. 

Refereeing has been a good challenge in Ireland. I have mostly refereed age-grade rugby while being here, and am hoping to get some senior matches also. In New Zealand I struggled to be appointed to games as all/most games are played on Saturdays. This is a challenge for me to get senior matches as I am currently still playing. However, I am hoping to be appointed more while I am here as there are many games across the week and Saturdays.

3. What differences do you see between New Zealand and Ireland rugby and refereeing? 

I think there is a difference in the physicality and flow of the game. In New Zealand we tend to try to win the gainline through our forwards and collision areas to allow our backs to strike. Whereas I’ve noticed in Ireland quick rucks are encouraged to get the ball out as quickly as possible so we can strike through skillset and catch the defence sleeping.

4. How long are you refereeing now and what made you decide to take up the whistle all those years ago?

This will be my 4th year refereeing and I decided to pick up the whistle so that games could play-on. I know as a coach how hard it is to coach your team and referee at the same time. So if there were age-grade matches that needed a referee I would lace up to help out. 

I have also experienced referees that probably need to do more work off the field before they take the whistle to the field. This has made me want to be better, by doing my homework and fitness so we have safer and more enjoyable games for everyone involved, whether that is playing, coaching, managing, or spectating. 

I have also been exposed to some amazing referees that I admire because of their confidence with the whistle and the way they allow the game to flow. I aspire to be like these people, the referees you get excited to see appointed to your match. 

5. What is your ambition in the sport? 

I have experienced and enjoyed rugby in New Zealand at a variety of levels. From Super Rugby Aupiki (Hurricanes Poua), Farahs Palmer Cup (Manawatū Cyclones – provincial) and club rugby (Palmerston North Old Boys Marist). Now my ambition is to experience rugby in other countries. 

I am passionate about sport and recreation and encourage everyone to take up some sort of team sport to help keep physically active. If some how I can convince people rugby is that sport then I feel like I’ve achieved something.

6.What is your training regime like and how does this fit around your working day?

I am currently working for Leinster Rugby as the CCRO in Balbriggan. This role was part of my playing and coaching role for Balbriggan RFC.

Because I am coaching in school and after school I am pretty flexible. No two days are the same. Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30-9pm training with Balbriggan Women would have to be the only consistent thing through my week. Therefore, I fit my strength and conditioning training in and around work, playing and refereeing.

7. What is your favourite thing about refereeing?

My favourite thing about refereeing is seeing the game grow and adapt. I can be in the middle and amongst the game, being able to watch the free flowing rugby and talented athletes. 

My style as a referee is not to get involved unless I have to, to keep the game safe and fair for both teams. I also love learning and by refereeing I have learnt so many things I can apply to my own game whether it’s playing or coaching. 

Not to mention the quick and easy conditioning I tick off from the 4-6k I run during a match when refereeing. 

8. What is the most memorable game you have refereed so far?

While in Ireland, my most memorable game would have to be my first official game, Navan v Wicklow U18 Boys. A great level of rugby on display by both sides and very polite young men with a good level of rugby IQ. 

Back in New Zealand I refereed the Hurricanes region school girls final, Manukura v St Mary’s. 

9. What is your pre – match routine like ?

If I can, I like to arrive an hour early so I can ease into my prematch routine. Find the venue and facilities. Then I will go through my checklist (whistle, scorecard, pen, flags, etc.). Once I’m set I’ll head out to check boots and depending on the age I am refereeing will determine if I talk to the captains only or the entire team.

I find with all age-grade teams speaking with the entire team works best. This way everyone then understands how I am as a referee and I can make sure all players and coaches have heard my expectation prior to kick off. 

Being a player myself, I also understand everyone has questions and different interpretations of the laws. Therefore, I like to explain that anyone can approach me during the game as long as it’s in a good manner. 

10. What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up refereeing?

My advice to anyone thinking of taking up refereeing would be do it. We need more referees so players can play and coaches can coach. Often we find teams/players tend to not improve on their skills when their coach referees as we can be biased and make calls against our own team. 

I also believe it’s a good way to keep active and a part of the game. Some players stop playing rugby due to concussion and other reasons, however refereeing is one of the best ways to stay involved in the game we all love. 

11.What kind of analysis do you do after games? What advice would you offer fellow Referees in this regard?

After a match I will reflect on my game like a traffic light system. (Green) 2-3 things I did well and will continue to do, this is often positionally, communication, whistle, or signal. (Orange) 2-3 things I need to change or review in the laws of the game. (Ted) 2-1 thing I will not do again or I will change completely how I make the decision next time. 

I prefer it when I am with my referee coaches or the game is recorded. I appreciate all and any feedback I get, but I seek my coaches feedback and also rewatch the match myself. My coaches  often have a list of timestamps where they challenge my thinking and decisions or they endorse the decision and calls I made at that time in the game. 

Want to get involved? 

Referees provide a vital function in servicing all levels of the game. Refereeing is also a fantastic hobby and is increasingly becoming a genuine alternative to playing the game.

Whether you have aspirations to referee at the highest level or to referee locally, there is a place for you. There are excellent support structures in place to develop referees and a thriving social aspect too.

Feel free to make contact with the Leinster Rugby Referees at brendan.conroy@leinsterrugby.ie  If you are interested in becoming a referee get in contact with us through our Facebook, our website www.leinsterrugbyreferees.ie or through X @leinsterreferee.