Former Test match official Steve Walsh is to make his return to top-level refereeing in the opening round of Super 14 games this weekend.

Walsh will take charge of Friday's clash between Western Force and the Brumbies 10 months after the New Zealand Rugby Football Union announced that Walsh had retired from refereeing.

The 37-year-old later admitted that decision had arisen as a result of "alcohol-related behaviour" at a Sanzar (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) conference in 2007.

Walsh's career has not been short of controversy. In 2003 he was suspended for three days during the World Cup for a row with England fitness coach Dave Reddin as Clive Woodward's side ended up with 16 men on the field during their pool clash with Samoa.

He then received a four-month ban in 2005 for verbally abusing Ireland wing Shane Horgan during the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

After being struck from the list of New Zealand officials Walsh was offered a two-year contract by the Australian Rugby Union and will now return to the top level of the game.

Sanzar referees manager Lyndon Bray told the Super 14 website, www.super14.com: "We want our senior referees leading from the front in week one, particularly with the new Sanzar focus on four priority areas designed to free up the ball, give clarity to rulings at the tackle area and scrum time, and penalise players advancing from offside positions during kicking phases."