Dubai: Scotty Herbert swapped taking charge of Arabian Gulf League games to officiate in last night's Argentina-Uruguay Rugby World Cup Sevens clash and make a sporting dream come true.
The 39-year-old is an air traffic controller at Dubai International Airport by day. And for the last 20 years rugby refereeing has been a way to relax and stay fit.
Herbert, who moved to the Gulf almost four years ago, said: "It must be the dream of most referees to get to a World Cup, and a Sevens World Cup has to be the next best thing. And how good is it to do it here in your home town?"
The New Zealand native began refereeing at such a young age, he says, "because I was a terrible player, and if I got concussed then I could lose my job.
"I wanted to stay involved with rugby, and soon realised that refereeing was something I enjoyed.
You do have to develop a thick skin because comments are made. But as long as it's not personal or abusive then you accept it as part of the game."
Herbert said he does not feel any pressure out in the middle.
"It's more a feeling of anticipation. You just go into the zone and referee what's in front of you.
"At events like this, with 25,000 or 30,000 people in the ground and a great atmosphere... you've got the best seat in the house. And you have the advantage of knowing what the next decision is going to be!"
Herbert quickly progressed up the ladder and in 1999 won a place in New Zealand's national squad of 20 officials, taking charge of NPC games and touch judging at then Super 12 matches.
He moved to Dubai in 2005 and was soon on the Asian elite panel and involved with the World Series event in Dubai which opened the door to the World Cup.
"Gulf rugby has been great for me in so many ways," he said. "The travel opportunities have been also been fantastic... I've refereed in Syria, Jordan, Beirut and all around the region, places I probably would not have seen otherwise."
As well as Herbert, the Gulf are also represented by Grant Bateman, James Fitzgerald, Alan Whitcombe and Mark de Wet who are members of a 12-strong team of assistant referees. And Joe Riddle is one of four in-goal assistants.
