Rugby ref Steve Walsh blows whistle on booze

BY DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

EXCLUSIVE: Comeback referee Steve Walsh hasn't had a drink since last April and says losing his NZRU job was the best thing that ever happened to him.

The controversial whistle blower also candidly admitted he was "the architect of my own demise" but felt he still had plenty to offer to international rugby and was looking forward to his return to the top ranks tomorrow night in a Super 14 match in Perth.

"I gave them (the NZRU) the ammunition to get rid of me," he said of his drinking problems that eventually saw him dismissed in last April.

"But it only really came to me late last year that it's the best thing that has ever happened to me.

"It made me take a look at the way I carried on. I think it will set me up for the rest of my life really not just in rugby but for the way I value things and the way I am."

Forced out of the New Zealand scene, Walsh sought to rekindle his career in Australia and get his life back on track across the Tasman.

He will be wearing Aussie colours for his first top match in 18 months and says he's proud of it. They gave him a chance and he has clawed his way back, mixing refereeing club football with labouring and courier driving in Sydney.

"I was driving from 7pm to 2 in the morning. It took away all my night life but that's probably a good thing."

A case of out of sight, out of mind and away from the temptations that had seen his life spiral to disaster in late 2008 when he turned up drunk at a Sanzar refereeing conference.

"Look, I've always gone out and partied a lot and enjoyed myself a lot. In the end it got worse with age," said the 37-year-old.

"Instead of probably growing up ... it just got the better of me. It didn't matter what I had coming up the next day or anything like that, I would just go into self destruct mode really.

"I didn't want to give up drinking because I had a bloody good time doing it. But I came to the realisation that I couldn't control it any more."

Walsh had counselling in his final stages of his NZRU job. He's worked hard by himself across the ditch  and attends a fellowship as well.

"It's with people who are going through the same experiences. I thought that when I went there they were going to help me with not drinking but actually it's all to do with how to lead your life really. It's fairly powerful stuff.

"But my last drink would have been April last year. I'm off it completely and the hope is not to go back to it. I feel like a better person. I'm having more fun not on it. But it's easier said than done ... it's something I have to continually work at because I still get the urge.

"I've had to look at my circle of friends because there are true friends and there are party friends and the party friends ... I'm not comfortable to make myself that vulnerable or put myself in that situation.

"The isolation when I came here wasn't nice for a while."

Walsh says he's determined not to blow this latest opportunity.

"Last year was very difficult emotionally, financially and not knowing where I was heading with my career."

He had sounded out Aussie high performance boss David Nucifora about the prospects over there and got encouragement.

"He said yes but you have to come over and do the grind. I came over here with a plan of what I hoped would happen and the truth is everything I hoped and dreamed would happen has come to fruition. I just can't say how much I love Australia, I love living here.

"Now the ball is in my park not to stuff up any more. I'm so excited about what's coming up. This makes me realise how good the job is. It's hard to replace that adrenalin rush you get on match day. I'm looking forward to that," he said, about to board a plane west.

He says he's fit and ready to try to add to a tally of 56 Super Rugby matches and 35 tests, feeling he has "unfinished business".

"There were times when I didn't really enjoy it and I think my performances reflected that.

"Now I've sort of ... I don't know what ... maybe got my mojo back. If you are excited and you are keen, maybe it shows in your performances. That's what I'm hoping for."

Walsh believes his style of refereeing will suit the new interpretations of several laws that are hoped will liven up attacking play in the Super 14. He believes he returns at an exciting time.

HEY REF

Name: Steve Walsh
Age: 37
Residence: Newtown, Sydney
Occupation: Returning pro rugby referee after work as labourer and courier driver 
Refereeing record: Test matches 35, first-class 212, Super matches 56
Did you know? Began refereeing at the age of 16 after a spinal deformity ended his playing career at 13

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