Kiwi World Cup ref makes second round

New Zealand referee Mike Hester’s FIFA World Cup adventure will continue into the knockout stages after being appointed as fourth official to today’s Round of 16 clash between USA and Ghana.

Michael Hester looks on during Greeces's clash with Korea Republic. Getty Images via FIFA.

June 26, 2010

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – New Zealand referee Mike Hester’s FIFA World Cup adventure will continue into the knockout stages after being appointed as fourth official to Saturday's Round of 16 clash between USA and Ghana.

Hester made history by becoming the first New Zealander to referee a FIFA World Cup match – the June 12 match between Korea Republic and Greece – aided by assistant referees (linesmen) Jan Hendrik Hintz, also from New Zealand and Tevita Maksini from Tonga.

Hester, an Auckland based Naval officer, was also used as a fourth official for England’s clash with Algeria, while Hamilton school teacher Peter O’Leary was fourth official for five matches: Algeria v Slovenia, France v Mexico, Greece v Argentina, Cameroon v Denmark and Brazil v Portugal.

Kiwi Brent Best and Solomon Islander Mathew Taro, who complete O’Leary’s referee trio have alternated as reserve assistant referee in those same matches, while Hintz and Makasini have performed the same role in matches where Hester has been fourth official.

Hester’s and O’Leary’s teams are among thirty trios selected for the FIFA World Cup finals.