This week on the Bay of Plenty Referee Podcast, we’re joined by Tiana Ngawati-Anderson, one of Bay of Plenty’s leading match officials, now established on the international pathway in both sevens and fifteens. Tiana reflects on her refereeing journey, the significance of being named on the 2026 HSBC SVNS women’s panel, her international XVs appointments, and what it has taken to return to the whistle after a challenging period with her health.

We also recap the weekend’s rugby around the Bay, including a tight Super 8 clash between Tauranga Boys’ and Rotorua Boys’, Sean’s fast-paced Premier game at Greerton, Sam’s trip out to Te Teko v Ruatoki, and Tiana’s own return to the middle before backing it up as an AR. We also revisit the scrum themes from this week’s education sessions and look ahead to the next round of Baywide rugby and the Baywide social night in Rotorua.

Whistler of the Week: Tiana Ngawati-Anderson, after a strong return to the whistle and backing it up across the weekend.

Relevant links:

• World Rugby Junior World Championship appointments: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/1044169/match-official-panel-confirmed-for-world-rugby-junior-world-championship-2026

• Great American Scrum Championship: https://www.majorleague.rugby/the-great-american-scrum-championship

• Bay of Plenty Rugby merch store: https://boprugbymerch.co.nz/

• World Rugby Strategic Plan: https://www.world.rugby/organisation/strategic-plan

• World Rugby law clarifications: https://passport.world.rugby/laws-of-the-game/law-application-guidelines/

Hosts: Sam Fellows, Sean Curragh, Jamie Bell

Guest: Tiana Ngawati-Anderson