Wales' men in black

Chris Herdman
BBC Wales News Online

Welsh contingent Nigel Williams (left) and Nigel Whitehouse Preview: Wales v Canada

The Welsh team is expected to make an early exit from the World Cup, but one Welshmen will definitely be in Australia to the very end - referee Nigel Williams.

Mr Williams, together with touch judge Nigel Whitehouse, make up the Welsh contingent in the 24-strong panel of top match officials at rugby's biggest showpiece.

A full-time professional referee, Mr Williams will stay in Australia for the entire World Cup with dreams of becoming the second Welshman after Derek Bevan in 1991 to handle a World Cup final.

And with his own country unlikely to reach the latter stages, the whistle-blower from Bryncoch, near Neath, has a good chance of being handed some of the tournament's biggest games.

Mr Williams, 42, said: "Until I was told I was going for sure, I feared I would miss out.

Nigel Williams is a full-time professional referee

"But now I know I am going I can't wait - it's the pinnacle of my career.

"Realistically, I'm not established enough as a ref to be given the final.

"But a quarter final would be fantastic."

Mr Williams took up refereeing after finishing playing at 30 - encouraged by his uncle Clayton Thomas, himself a World Cup referee.

After battling through the Welsh league system, he became one of just 20 professional referees in the world game in 2001.

To be going to the World Cup and representing Wales is the highlight of my career Nigel Whitehouse

He gave up his job in travel agent finance and management and now focuses on the art of refereeing as a full-time job.

Wales' second official heading Down Under, Nigel Whitehouse, already knows he is one of eight being sent home on 4 November when the first phase of matches ends.

But the police officer from Gowerton, near Swansea, is happy to be representing Wales in Australia at all after suffering one of the unluckiest injuries in rugby history.

Unlucky break

Mr Whitehouse, 42, was in Russia to referee a World Cup qualifier last year when he slipped on snow outside his hotel and broke his leg.

"I didn't expect to go to Australia at all after missing most of last season with a broken leg," he said.

"I'm disappointed not to be going as a ref, but to be going to the World Cup at all and representing Wales there is without doubt the highlight of my career."

Nigel Whitehouse combines refereeing with police work

Mr Whitehouse turned down an offer from the International Rugby Board to become a full-time referee to continue his career as a traffic sergeant in the South Wales Police.

"The police were brilliant when I broke my leg and was in plaster for six weeks and they are understanding about my refereeing commitments," he said.

"I turned down the chance to become a full-time ref to stay in the police because I enjoy what I do.

"It can get difficult to juggle the police, my wife and two kids and refereeing and I have to take all my holiday days to attend games.

"But I'm psyched-up about getting out to Australia and taking part in the World Cup."