Out referee to
preside over prestigious rugby match

Out referee Nigel Owens is facing the toughest match of his career as he bears the whistle for the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday, reports The New Zealand Herald. This match--a battle for the largest trophy in the Rugby Union--will be played between New Zealand's All Blacks and Australia's Wallabies.

Although working as a professional referee for only five years, the 35-year-old Welshman has made a name for himself as a stand-up comedian and singer as well a regular television personality. He is also the game's only openly gay referee.

Owens admits that he struggled to come out in a sport defined by shows of machismo. "It's such a big taboo to be gay in my line of work, I had to think hard about it [coming out] because I didn't want to jeopardize my career," Owens told Gay.com earlier this year.

Yet coming out seems to have done little to hinder his career. In addition to being selected to preside over the Bledisloe Cup, he will be the only Welsh referee present at September's World Cup in France. (The Advocate)