’Surfers might be sad to see me go’: Popular ref Rod Thompson hangs up whistle

The South African-born veteran of 208 Gold Coast rugby matches officiated his final match when the Gold Coast Eagles hosted Coomera Crushers on Saturday.

Gold Coast District Rugby Union Referee’s Association boss Rod Thompson has hung up the whistle for the last time.

The South African-born veteran of 208 Gold Coast rugby matches officiated his final match when the Gold Coast Eagles hosted Coomera Crushers on Saturday.

The popular referee moved to the Gold Coast 20 years ago and after seven years took up the whistle for the first time.

“My first game was 16 years ago with the TSS 13Bs,” Thompson said.

GC referee's boss Rod Thompson (middle back row)

“Being an ex-rugby coach and teacher from South Africa I thought it would be easy.

“The boys loved the game - there were no laws! - but the parents were less impressed.

“I did a run for the sheds after the match and signed up for referee school on the spot.”

Thompson went on referee 47 first grade matches across a career spanning 16 years and more than 200 games.

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He said some of the greatest clashes he’d witnessed had been from this year.

“This season has been a thriller, and somehow every close first grade game seems to have fallen under my whistle,” he said.

“Surfers winning their game against Nerang in last play, when Delouise Hoeter cut through the midfield only to be cut down by a desperate Nerang only to score and win the game (was the greatest game he can recall).

“Two weeks ago Crushers, the other underdogs-come-good, were leading Surfers 23-21 in their first season in first grade.

“Their halfback looked up at me and asked if this was last play and I nodded - all he had to do was kick the ball out.

“But they were 22m out from the Surfers tryline and he passed it back to their flyhalf who went for a drop goal that fell short.

“Surfers called for a mark but you can’t take a mark from a drop goal so I called play on.

“They spread the ball and ran 60 metres to win the game.

Coomera Crushers players form a guard of honour for retiring referee Rod Thompson.

“Surfers might be sad to see me hang up the whistle.”

Over a long career there have been plenty of feisty encounters with players but former Italian international and Surfers Paradise captain Kris Burton took the cake, Thompson said.

“I’d love to mention Kris,” he said.

“He’s now a QRU development officer and we work together closely, he is terrific.

“But at fullback captaining Surfers, and himself a referee from his days in Europe, would take time to run all the way from fullback to double-check a point of law in only the way he could do it.

“He was very diplomatic but very sharp, very on point.”

Thompson acknowledged the Gold Coast rugby community for their friendship and support it had given him over his refereeing and administrative career.

He will step down as a referee and referee’s association boss but his time in the limelight is unlikely to end.

The GCDRU board will meet on Monday-week to elect a new chairman and Thompson’s name is firmly in the running.