Walsh sought alcohol counselling

Retired New Zealand referee Steve Walsh has spoken publicly about his struggle with alcohol, after announcing he was stepping down from refereeing on Monday.

Retired New Zealand referee Steve Walsh has spoken publicly about his struggle with alcohol, after announcing he was stepping down from refereeing on Monday.

The NZRU said in a statement on Monday Walsh had 'retired' from his job with the NZRU as a result of an enquiry into an employment problem arising from a refereeing meeting in Sydney.

Speaking to Radio Sport, Walsh said he had asked the NZRU for counselling for his personal problems before standing down and had been refused.

“I did something that was completely unacceptable and pretty much drunk through the night and arrived at the conference for a nine o'clock start and was definitely under the influence of alcohol,” he said, talking about the incident in Sydney that precipitated his initial suspension.

“I was asked to leave, which I did, and pretty much as a consequence of that and me owning up to my mistakes the Rugby Union weren't prepared to give me another chance. The upshot is I'm finished refereeing in New Zealand.”

Walsh, who officiated in 35 Tests and at two World Cups, said he had turned to drinking as a way of coping with pressures in his personal life during the past few years.

“I don't want to use that as an excuse but sometimes I found that I used to drink to relieve those pressures,” he said.

The referee also revealed he had approached the NZRU about receiving help to address his problems, but that the Union would not go that far.

“They weren't prepared to buy into that type of counselling and help,” he said.

“I wasn't looking for another chance. I was looking for a last chance. Whether they didn't believe that I could do that, I'm not sure. But in the end they weren't prepared to go down that route.

“What I had to do was salvage the best possible outcome for me. That was this exit package and that's the path I'm on.”

Walsh added that he took full responsibility for what had occurred and was hoping one day to be able to take up the whistle again.

“I take personal responsibility for what I did and it was totally unacceptable. I'm continuing to get help and if I want to get back into any walk of life I need to make sure these things don't happen again.

“I still have some unfinished business in refereeing and hopefully down the track I will be given an opportunity by somebody.”