While he was in Brisbane recently to referee the Super 14 match between the Reds and the Hurricanes, Jonathan Kaplan spoke to Scott Young, a friend and once an active colleague who in his refereeing career refereed at the top level in the world and now assesses and helps referees.

Jonathan Kaplan (pictured): Give us your full name.

Scott Young: Scott McGilvery Young.

Jonathan Kaplan: How old are you, and just to confirm this, when is your birthday... no hesitation here!

Scott Young: 35! 4th July 1974!

(Jonathan Kaplan: He lied about his age... mid-life crisis induced )

Jonathan Kaplan: Where are you from?

Scott Young: Born in Armidale, a country town in New South Wales, and spent 12 years there. High school was in Queensland -  the Southport School for one year and then the Toowoomba Grammar School till 1983. I have lived in Brisbane ever since after studying at University of Queensland where I resided at King’s College and where I now work!

Jonathan Kaplan: Rugby-playing background?

Scott Young: I played at school and university.- not a great level but had the odd match in the school 2nd XV, a very fast wing and full back! Ha ha...

Jonathan Kaplan: How did you get into rugby refereeing?

Scott Young: I was drunk at the Royal Exchange Hotel, a university pub in Brisbane, and got conned!

Anyway was asked by a senior at King's College in 1986 if I could ref the annual grudge match between Gentlemen (2nd year and above) and Fresher’s (first year). It’s an annual tradition at King's and the gents are allowed as many on the field as possible. (I have also reffed it the last two years). The Gents of course have to win and the Freshers are not allowed penalties or more than 15 players. Also reffed at my old school on weekends and never looked back really!

Jonathan Kaplan: Who were your good tjoms on the circuit while you were up there?

Scott Young: You mean on the IRB circuit? Anyone who liked a Bundy?

Jonathan Kaplan: Best rugby location?

Scott Young: Countries: South Africa, Ireland, France and New Zealand, Fiji.

Grounds: Newlands, Murrayfield, Lansdowne Road, House of Pain in Dunedin and River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires.

Jonathan Kaplan: Was Marseilles 2000 your favourite rugby experience, and if so, why? If not which was?

Scott Young: Marseilles was up there ! especially the police escort to the ground at excessive speeds, the party afterwards and then helping a drunk Tappe Henning pack his bags to catch an early morning flight!

Papua New Guinea vs Cook Islands in Port Moresby in 2002! The match was a Rugby World Cup qualifier and sponsored by a local company called Tiny Teddies Chocolate Biscuits! The half-time entertainment was a local dressed as Tiny Teddy throwing biscuits to the crowd. I was touring with my good mates Andrew Cole and Greg Hinton. After the match we headed straight for a corporate box and tried to walk out late in the evening. It was a great occasion and a really good night. No more stories necessary.

Jonathan Kaplan: Rumour has it that you have done Argentina more times than anyone else... Why?? Is it because they are a small country?

Scott Young: Yes, five times including two matches at the River Plate Stadium. First time I was lucky not to get lynched! And probably deserved it. Great stadium and great atmosphere but not so sure about the security.

Jonathan Kaplan: Country or city life?

Scott Young: Love both! A balance would be perfect. Grew up in the country but I like the fast life too. Beach is the ultimate place to live though!

Jonathan Kaplan: You got a serious injury at a crucial time in your career... tell us about the episode?

Scott Young: I had a collision with a semi trailer from Canada called Rod Snow in the Cardiff vs Newport match on 26 January 1997. (I remember the date as it's Australia Day.) The force we collided with caused my anterior cruciate and medial ligaments in my right knee to rupture totally! Instead of reffing my first major international the week after between Wales and Ireland I was on a plane home for surgery and nearly 11 months out of the game.

While it was stressful and very disappointing at the time  it was character building. Coming back from a major injury is just as much about becoming mentally tough as it is physically rehabilitating. There were times during 1997 when I was ready to quit but I didn't and  It taught me resilience and the need to stay focused to get back to the level I was. I caught up with Rod Snow in Chile in 2002 when I was there to ref the Canada v Chile in a Rugby World Cup qualifier. Safe to say I told him before the match that if he came within one metre of me I'd penalise him! We had a beer or two after the game. Certainly no hard feelings!

Jonathan Kaplan: Your most embarrassing moment is not when you fell over Hottie Louw in Wellington in a Super 12 match, was it? There were many others... which spring to mind?

Scott Young: Of course not.

Sending four players to the bin in one hit in the Waratahs vs British Lions in 2001 is far more embarrassing than being used for a Minties advertisement in New Zealand.

Being told by an 84-year-old grandmother in Ireland that I had great legs! Being told by a 70 year old grandmother in Cape Town I had great legs. What is this obsession with my legs?

Jonathan Kaplan: Give us your first-class stats?

Scott Young: Jonny, you would know better than me! 25 Tests 49 Super Rugby. The rest I don't know!

Jonathan Kaplan: What was the highlight of your career?

Scott Young: Being able to tour the world and experience culture and history and meet fantastic people that I would have otherwise not had the opportunity to do.

Jonathan Kaplan: Any regrets?

Scott Young: No regrets. It was a great part of my life and continues to be .

Jonathan Kaplan: What are you up to now... besides chasing the cougar population of Brisbane?

Scott Young: Enjoying life big time! Partying, working and holidaying!

Working at my old University College, King’s College on a three-year contract in a fundraising and development role. We have a major new building that will start construction in September this year. I coach our rugby team which came second last year, so hoping to go one better this year with a first placing. Get to the beach and out into the country whenever I can and am involved with a number of charities. Love the charity work. Helping with the local and national refs who are up and coming and am an Australian selector for refs.

Jonathan Kaplan: Remind me of the story when a young lass came up to you in Canberra, and remarked on how beautiful your teeth are?

Scott Young: Just one of many times that beautiful women came up to me with compliments. She was stunning! A former Miss Australia she was the daughter of a dentist and said: "My goodness you have the most beautiful teeth I have ever seen!" Shame had I long trousers on as my legs are better than my teeth anyway! What is this obsession with my legs!

Jonathan Kaplan: Did you really expect to go through your career without hurting those showpony legs of yours?

Scott Young: I had to have them insured before I started refereeing! It was difficult to find an insurer that was willing to take them on because of their immense value and appeal to the many female fans worldwide! More injuries have resulted from falling out of trees and  into swimming pools than injuries on the footy field!

Jonathan Kaplan: Beer or Bundaberg?

Scott Young: I was weaned on Bundy! There is no better drink. They should sponsor me!

Jonathan Kaplan: When will the Reds turn the corner?

Scott Young: 2052! Shame they are a good bunch of guys but very young. I hope Phil Mooney stays on and takes them to the success he deserves

Jonathan Kaplan: Your favourite coaches... and why?

Scott Young: Alan Solomons - I loved his personal approach and attitude to rugby and his team ran the ball!

(Ian) Mac! - I'm serious, The guy is a legend even if he did give us heaps now and then. The guy lives and breathes rugby and he loves a chat.

Tony Gilbert - coached the Highlanders in the early days of Super Rugby. Very genuine, and coached a style of rugby that was enjoyable to ref.

Heyneke Meyer - personable but offered constructive criticism when needed.

Robbie Deans - to coach the Wallabies as a foreigner takes guts! Strategically the best in the world and a great motivator. I think he will take this team to the top of the world.