Ryan Wake soaks up experience from State of Origin debut

The tournament took place at Coffs Harbour across June 18 and 19, during which time Wake oversaw the Women's 20s competition.

"It was good, I enjoyed it a lot and learned a lot of stuff," Wake said of the experience.

The Women's 20s division was taken out by NSW, 2-1, which also took out the overall series 9-6 across all age groups.

Wake, who became Goulburn's first Level Six referee earlier this year, was eager to use the opportunity to learn from his counterparts on the field.

"I learned quite a bit across the weekend and it was good to mix in with the top guys across the country." he said.

"I feel like it went well. I learned about the kind of preparation you need to get ready for this level of tournament, that it is different compared to everything else.

"It was more the mental side of things, really."

Though he has officiated at numerous representative events in recent years, Wake said the sheer physicality of the State of Origin was a step above that which he had experienced previously.

"It was a very different experience, especially compared to other tournaments," he said.

"The physical intensity of it, I felt more tired after refereeing the three games at the State of Origin than I did after a five-day tournament."

One of the more pleasant surprises to emerge from the tournament, Wake added, was the pragmatism of the players. At most events, competitors can often be overcome by their emotions. But at Coffs Harbour, "they just got on with it".

"Of course they're very passionate about the game, but they just get on with it and don't complain," he said.

"It's a lot different to refereeing at park level."

With the State of Origin now wrapped up, Wake is looking forward to some well-earned rest before he begins his preparations for the summer season.

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