André Watson by Paul Dobson

André Watson (Standard First Edition Rugby Referee Autobiography)

The Autobiography of the Only Referee to Take Charge of Two Rugby World Cup Finals, Written with Paul Dobson

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: André Watson: The Autobiography
• Author: Paul Dobson
• Publisher: Don Nelson, Cape Town
• Publication Date: 2005
• ISBN-13: 9781868062362
• ISBN-10: 1868062368
• Edition Details: First Edition.
• Binding: Publisher's illustrated glossy card wrappers, perfect bound.
• Physical Format: Large softcover (trade paperback), approximately 235 x 155 mm. With a section of colour photographic plates.
• Language: English

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Very Good (VG)
• Exterior / Wraps: Glossy blue printed paper wrappers with a photographic image of a referee to the front. A diagonal crease or fold line runs across the lower right of the front cover, with slight surface creasing, and the bottom right corner is lightly bumped. The spine is clean and straight, and the rear cover is clean.
• Interior: The pages are clean and white, with no foxing, staining or markings. The binding is tight. Includes a section of colour photographic plates.
• The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)

Synopsis & Historical Value

Published in Cape Town by Don Nelson in 2005, André Watson: The Autobiography is the life story of the South African rugby referee André Watson, written with Paul Dobson. Watson remains the only referee to have taken charge of two Rugby World Cup finals, the 1999 final between Australia and France in Cardiff and the 2003 final between Australia and England in Sydney.

The book follows his career from humble beginnings in the game to the highest level of international refereeing. It looks at his relationships with players, coaches and fellow referees, the criticism he faced, and the controversies and feuds that marked his time in the sport.

For collectors of South African rugby literature, this is a candid account from an official whose name is permanently tied to the sport's showpiece occasions, and a useful companion to the wider shelf of South African rugby history.

Author Profile: Paul Dobson

Paul Dobson (1935–2020) was born in Plumstead, Cape Town. He was a teacher, coach, referee, journalist, author and historian, and became one of South Africa's best-known writers on rugby.

His other works include The Official History of South African Rugby and Doc: An Autobiography of Danie Craven, as well as biographies of Nick Mallett and André Watson. He received the IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service in 2012.

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