Thomas has travelled to Australia to referee at this weekend’s Gold Coast Sevens, the first leg of the IRB’s HSBC Sevens World Series. He will also take charge of matches at six of the remaining eight IRB tournaments this season, while continuing to work shifts in hospitals in Merthyr Tydfil and Newport.
“It’s fantastic to have been given this chance to referee on the international Sevens circuit. I know other referees such as Nigel Owens, Wayne Barnes and Craig Joubert used it as a development tool so hopefully it will do the same for me.”
The 25-year-old from Colwyn Bay has been working his way up the WRU’s refereeing ladder since moving to Cardiff to study medicine in 2006, and has been fast-tracked for future success as a member of the WRU referees’ academy.
Thomas’ dad Alun has been a WRU referee for 13 years, one of the reasons for Rhys’ interest in refereeing from a young age.
“I suppose I picked up a lot of the laws from hearing my dad’s views and commentaries on games. I did my levels 1 and 2 while in school and refereed three or four matches before coming to Cardiff Medical School. I then broke my arm in my first year of University playing rugby and when I came back to fitness in the second year I started playing on a Wednesday but refereeing on a Saturday, mainly youth rugby to start with.
“At the end of that season, I made it onto the WRU list and then worked my way up the leagues before starting in Premiership rugby last season.”
Thomas, who was on the same course as Jamie Roberts in Cardiff Medical School, hails the Principality Premiership as an ideal breeding ground, not only for players and coaches but referees too. “The Premiership is a great place to cut your teeth in the game, not only for coaches and players but for referees too because it’s very competitive but often the games need quite a bit of managing so they test you well.”
As part of the initial intake into the WRU referees academy, set up in 2010, Thomas has been closely mentored by WRU Match Officials Performance and Development Officer Nigel Whitehouse and received input from other international referees.
“Being part of the academy has definitely helped me and accelerated my development. The facility means you can review your performances and receive quality feedback on your games.
“I’ve had a great amount of support and advice from all at the WRU referees academy – from Rob Yeman who has always been there for a chat and helpful advice to obviously Nigel Whitehouse who has mentored my progress. Malcolm Thomas, the secretary of Cardiff Referees Society has also been very supportive and referee Neil Hennessey has helped with my training.”
Thomas is committed to his medical career but also determined to go to the top of the tree in refereeing terms.
“I’m now qualified as a doctor and training to be a surgeon which takes up a lot of time but my bosses have been very supportive and allowed me to pack in the hours during the off season so that I can referee on weekends and go on the Sevens circuit.
“I’m very serious about my medical career but I would also love to progress my refereeing as much as possible and reach the level Nigel Owens is now at, travelling around the world to referee matches.”
On the domestic front, Thomas is hoping to make the step into regional rugby this season. “I’ve made it onto the panel of referees for Regional rugby but hopefully if I can prove myself at Premiership level I will get the chance to take charge of some Regional matches this season too.”
Nigel Whitehouse added: “It is difficult to predict how individuals will progress and develop with exposure to the international game but Rhys is a young man with exceptional talent who is showing all the hallmarks of being one of the best referees in Wales in the coming years. He put in a string of impressive performances during his first season of Premiership rugby last year and also excelled when refereeing British & Irish Cup and international age grade matches.”
