Paddy O'Brien
New Zealand
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Full name Patric Denis O'Brien
Born July 19, 1959, Invercargill
Current age 64 years 244 days
Other Referee
Profile

O'Brien began refereeing in 1984, combining it with working for the police for 17 years before turning professional in 1996. He quickly became a permanent fixture on the international scene and became New Zealand's most capped Test official in 2003.

He rose up the International Rugby Board ranks to the position of referee manager and was in charge of the sport's elite officials for seven years - including two Rugby World Cups.

He stepped down from his post in 2012 to take up a similar role within the Sevens game and was tasked with readying officials for the sport's return to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Latest Articles
Scrum farce must end (Apr 4, 2012) O'Brien steps down from IRB refs role (Mar 24, 2012) O'Brien calls for more of the same from refs (Jan 26, 2012) Prediction time for 2012 (Dec 30, 2011) O'Brien: Refs must improve (Oct 6, 2011) Paddy O'Brien news and articles (21) »
Latest Photos
Jun 8, 2011
IRB referees manager Paddy O'Brien
IRB referees manager Paddy O'Brien
©  Getty Images
Feb 13, 2005
Referee Paddy O'Brien looks on
Referee Paddy O'Brien looks on
©  Getty Images

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