Steve Walsh, one of the world's top referees, is back in action, this time in Australia.

Walsh refereed 35 Tests, went to two World Cups and refereed 212 first class matches but he had been out of action for some time and subject to disciplinary action in New Zealand which ended his contract with the union.

In June, he moved to Sydney. There had been talk that he would head to Japan to resuscitate his career but has moved to Bondi instead.

Now he is a member of the New South Wales Referees' Society and started refereeing schools matches but has been refereeing premiership matches in the Tooheys New Cup Shute Shield. He has now refereed four of them.

Peter Marshall, a retired Test referee and former manager of Australian referees is helping Walsh settle in.

The way is now open for Walsh to return to refereeing Test rugby - as an Australian referee. If Australia nominated him, the International Rugby Board would consider selecting him to their panels.

When his contract with the New Zealand RU ended Paddy O'Brien, the IRB's manager of referees, expressed the hope that Walsh would be back, assuring him that the door was open.