They were tasked to referee the year 1 Rippa Rugby at the weekend.
It was part of a community outreach programme ahead of yesterday’s match between the Highlanders and Fiji Drua at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
At Montecillo Sports Ground on Saturday, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Iona Mareki, Nathan Hastie, Sam Gilbert, Daniel Lienert-Brown and Max Hicks got to have a go with the whistle.
Lienert-Brown said the game was fast-paced.
"The main thing at that level is to keep it flowing and making sure everyone has fun.
"I didn’t check the rule book before getting out there, but I made sure the coaches helped out."
Hastie said it was a good way to give back to the community.
"We were in a unique position where we were playing a game on Sunday, so we could help out with the community rugby on the Saturday.
Rippa Rugby is a game for young players, usually from the ages of 5 to 7. It is a non-contact form of the game.
"It’s great being able to inspire players who are so young; this is a cool level to referee at," Hastie said.
"I remember looking up to the professional players when I was their age.
"It’s also the time where you make your first friends."
Hicks said he had to do "a bit of study" before taking the whistle on Saturday.
"But it’s great being out there in the field."
Highlanders Rugby Club chief executive Roger Clark said being able to get out and have players referee junior rugby was always a highlight on the calendar and "having a Sunday fixture has enabled us to do it again this year".
"Grassroots sports is vital to our cultural fabric here in the Highlanders region and it’s important that we support it where we can. Thank you to our provincial unions for partnering with us for our Annual Club Round."
