Kiwi Super Rugby ref speaks out after torrent of abuse following final

New Zealand rugby referee Ben O'Keeffe has spoken out about the abuse he received following the Crusaders' victory over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific final last Saturday.

O'Keeffe, who was at the center of several controversial calls during the final, revealed the torrent of abuse online from fans following the game.

O'Keeffe and her officials were also booed by fans during the post-game trophy presentation.

In a post on Instagram, O'Keeffe said he's so used to the abuse that it hardly affects him anymore, "but that doesn't mean it's okay."

"Abuse in any form is never okay," he wrote in the Instagram post, along with examples of the significant amount of abuse he's endured since the final.

“Unfortunately, as a union referee at the highest level, I have had to accept and get used to the post-game vitriol that fans normalize after the game.

"It's a sad reality that it doesn't affect me anymore, but that doesn't mean it's okay."

Chiefs manager Clayton McMillan was one of many who criticized refereeing decisions during the final, which saw the Crusaders take another Super Rugby title.

McMillan stopped short of calling the referees, but said the big moments of the game, especially a missed Crusaders forward pass, turned out to be pivotal in the clash.

“I think the biggest call, swinger drive, was what I thought was a clear and obvious forward pass before halftime. That gives us a scrum [and] we can apply some pressure at that end of the field. They score the play afterwards, it's a great moment.

“I don't want to bag the referee. The crowd did that at the end of the game, maybe that says something."

O'Keeffe said rugby referees need the support of players and coaches to help stop the abuse they receive.

“I think of the referee in the Europa League final walking through the airport and his family getting knocked over chairs. I hope my family never suffers from this, but the direction some fans are taking now in rugby, I know we're closer than we've ever been. This is one of many recent examples where someone has crossed the line into a match official in rugby union.

“Referees are part of the game, and we need the support of players and coaches to have difficult conversations in private, but publicly endorse and support their refs, not criticize. This will change the way fans treat us.

“Abuse is out there and for anyone going through it right now in any form please understand there is support out there, people love you, help is out there and if all else fails message me and I'll be happy to talk. . with you."

O'Keeffe said she accepts she made "some bad" decisions and will work to improve moving forward.

“Let's celebrate the season, let's celebrate what was a great final for the players.

“There were some great decisions and some bad ones that I accept that I made and need to improve – continued growth is something that excites me to be better for the game.

"We need rugby to be the best game in the world, on and off the pitch, let's do it together."

The publication received widespread support from many in New Zealand rugby, including All Blacks and Blues mainstay Ofa Tu'ungafasi.

New Zealand Rugby also offered O'Keefe a message of support, saying in an Instagram comment: "Thank you for all you do for rugby Ben, we've got your back."