Rejected NZ rugby ref considers Japan move

Controversial referee Steve Walsh is planning to relaunch his career in Japan.

Walsh was left off the New Zealand Rugby Union's initial Super 14 panel because of "personal employment" reasons.

He is understood to be in the middle of on-going talks with the union on his future after he allegedly misbehaved at the Sanzar meeting in Sydney in December.

One of the options on the table is for the union to consider dismissal.

Sunday News has been told Walsh will not referee within New Zealand again.

And sources say Walsh has been told he will not be put on the union's international list when it is updated in April.

A friend of the whistleblower said Walsh, who's NZRU deal was worth $200,000 - will head to Japan to referee.

"Steve's been told that once he settles in a new country there is every opportunity for that country to include him on their international panel of referees," the friend said.

"Japan is crying out for refs. After a season in their top league, there's no reason why he couldn't referee tests again. The IRB have indicated they would be supportive of that."

- © Fairfax NZ News