Ref McInerney ready to make the testing calls

THE Australian referee who will be involved in both games in the Coca-Cola International Rules Series has expressed confidence in his ability to do justice to himself and the game.

Saying yesterday that his appointment represented his second biggest achievement since taking charge of the 2004 Grand Final, Shane McInerney nevertheless admitted that all the practice he had mightn’t necessarily prepare him for the real thing.

For last year’s series in Australia he was involved as “an observer” and worked with the (referees) group in getting an understanding and appreciation of the rules. “I have been involved with the practice matches for this series and I guess that’s as much preparation as you are going to have for actual game day.