News

Counties Manukau Rugby referee Brandon Roberts will control his first ever Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse game this weekend.

Roberts will have the whistle in the Northland v Otago Championship clash at Okara Park in Whangarei on Saturday.

He was recently named in the national panel - the first local male referee to achieve the feat since the late 1990s.

"Ready and excited for the game in the winter-less north," Roberts said. "I will ref the game like I do any other game - calm, clear and control approach.

"Its mid-round for the competition and both teams are near the top in second (Otago) and third (Northland) so it should be a good game."

Roberts controlled his third straight McNamara Cup final last month.