IRISH REFEREE ALAIN Rolland has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.
The experienced official has enjoyed an excellent career at the forefront of world rugby, peaking with the 2007 World Cup final. Rolland also adjudicated two Heineken Cup finals and there may be more big occasions before the end of the coming year.
Rolland commented, “The first thing to say is that now I have decided that this will be my last season, I can turn my complete focus to continuing to enjoy my refereeing as much as ever and performing to the best of my ability.”
“I have had an incredible journey and over the summer, I have thought long and hard about this – I have discussed it fully with my family and with [the IRFU's] Owen Doyle, and it just really feels that I am making the right call.”
Rolland has already refereed over 65 international Tests and 70 European matches, and will be a big loss to rugby officialdom. Finding a replacement of similar calibre will be a difficult task for the IRFU, who thanked Rolland for his excellent service through their Director of Referees, Owen Doyle.
“He always feels it a huge honour to be involved, and to do his best to facilitate the game for the players courteously and with an even hand.
“For those who will follow he is the complete role model. We will be very sorry to lose him and, at the same time, absolutely respect his decision and cannot thank him enough for his extraordinary contribution.”
Every referee is remembered for the controversial decisions they have made, and perhaps the rugby world can be a harsh place for officials at times. However, Rolland has been consistently strong in his actions and understanding of how the game is played at the top level. In the word of IRFU President Pat Fitzgerald:
“He will retire right at the top and will leave a great legacy for the next generation of referees.”
