Rugby World Cup 2011
Joubert's mom jets off to NZ
2011-10-19 15:23
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Craig Joubert and his family (Photo provided)
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Gabisile Ngcobo Durban - Craig Joubert’s mother, Lynne, has jetted off to New Zealand to watch her son referee Sunday’s Rugby World Cup final.
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“He told me around 02:30 on Monday before it even broke to the media. He then said he wanted to bring me to New Zealand,” an excited Lynne told The Witness from King Shaka International Airport on Tuesday.
The St John’s Diocesan School for Girls teacher boarded a 14:00 flight on Tuesday immediately after her lessons.
She joked that when her son was still a boy she would to take him to all the matches, but with this fully paid trip “he’s now paying me back with interest”.
Joubert’s father, a popular Pietermaritzburg school teacher and rugby referee, Des,
died while Joubert was in his matric year. “Craig started refereeing at a young age. His father was such a great influence in his life.
“They did a lot together. He was his mentor and coach and when he lost him I wasn’t sure he was going to continue,” Lynne added.
But he did and today he is recognised as one of the world’s best rugby referees.
“He was very positive and continued with rugby,” she said.
Lynne said she is looking forward to her trip and proud of her son.
She thanked the school for letting her go to the World Cup at such short notice.
“I’m not really a rugby fan but I’m surely Craig’s fan,” she said laughing.