Sometimes, as a referee, you realise you are in the company of rugby genius on the field of play.
You still treat the player in exactly the same way others when it comes to decision-making, but you just see his skill-set close up and realise he's a cut above the others. Technically brilliant, invariably quick, but also faster in speed of thought, too.
I was fortunate enough to share a pitch with some of these individuals. Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Brian O'Driscoll among them. Our own Shane Williams was another.
