Scott Young has been a professional referee for the last six years, but actually made his Test debut back on October 22 1994 when Japan beat Chinese Taipei 56-5 in their Rugby World Cup qualifier at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Malaysia.
The 38 year-old Australian, who is a member of the Queensland Referees Association, did endure a difficult time in 1997 though when he underwent reconstructive knee surgery that threatened his refereeing career.
However Young recovered and appeared as a touch judge in the opening game of Rugby World Cup 1999, when Wales beat Argentina 23-18, and has gone on to control more than 10 Tests, including Tri-Nations and Six Nations encounters.
Young, who also officiated at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Argentina in 2001, played on the wing for Toowoomba Grammar School and the University of Queensland, from where he received an Arts degree after majoring in Economics and Commerce.
The Australian turned to refereeing, which he once described as a “challenging and rewarding occupation”, in 1987 aged just 22 and spent 10 years working as a Project Manager in the Property Investments Division of AMP before turning professional.