Bray hangs up his whistle

'Time to move on': Lyndon Bray

International referee Lyndon Bray on Friday announced his retirement from all rugby to take up a role with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) as its new high performance referees manager.

Bray succeeds Keith Lawrence, who is the International Rugby Board's (IRB)referees manager of the sevens world series and the Pacific Nations Cup.

Bray, 41, started his Test career as a referee in 2001 when he officiated in an international between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.

The last of his seven internationals was the recent Tri-Nations Test between the Springboks and Wallabies in Durban.

Bray also controlled 23 Super 14 matches and 38 games in the Air New Zealand Cup, and in total he refereed 119 first-class matches.

NZRU general manager of professional rugby Neil Sorensen said Bray had the experience and expertise to make the transition from referee to referees' manager.

"Lyndon has the knowledge and passion for refereeing and rugby to excel in this role," Sorensen told NZPA.

"He has an understanding of what is required to achieve at the highest level of refereeing and we have no doubt that he will continue to make an immense contribution to rugby in his new role."

Bray said he was excited about the new challenge.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed refereeing, it's been a fantastic ride and a privilege to work with the top players in New Zealand and overseas.

"But it's time to move on and I believe that I can make more of a difference to refereeing off the field."