Less than three months after suffering a heart attack during a pre-season rugby match at Trafalgar Park, former Marlborough referee Hone Koreko made his comeback at the weekend.
“They are calling me the miracle man. I don’t remember anything, but it was a cardiac arrest, a widow maker, and I was dead for up to 10 minutes,” confirms Hone after refereeing the Waimea Combined Schools-Horomaka Combined match at Waimea College.
“Fortunately, I was very fit and the defibrillator was finally found.”
The 53-year-old, who hails from Kaeo in Northland, underwent surgery for the blockage in his arteries.
Nelson cardiologist Dr Nick Fisher started the operation and then an “impact” player subbed in.
“An Indonesian heart specialist, who was a former Dux at Nelson College, was visiting and completed the surgery. Timing can be your friend,” explains Hone.
He was all “wired up” internally, but just three weeks later the former army corporal began training again.
“I did landscaping work as the bending over helped my recovery. There is something in the water here that makes you stronger. The old saying, what can’t kill you, makes you stronger. I am quite stubborn and I have been taught by some of the best referees in Tasman – Fred Kramer, Stephen Caunter and Alan Straker. They taught me to never give up and give in,” insists the former well-travelled rugby league whistleblower who moved to Motueka in 2019.
His wife Jacque is a deputy principal at Motueka High School.
Hone was kept on his toes by a free-flowing match which produced 13 tries.
“I loved it. I thought I ran really well out there.”
Thoughts shared by one of his assistant referees, Angela Cotton.
“It is amazing. I am so glad to have him out there as part of the on field reffing. He had a great game too,” declares Angela.
One of the young Waimea players was quick to help him out.
“As an experienced referee, you get used to that sort of lip.”
Hone is grateful to all the people who have helped him out and plans to be a permanent fixture on the local rugby scene.
And the Baabaas played Horomaka Combined off the park, winning 65-12 at its Waimea College ground.
