Referee Peter O'Leary believes he and fellow World Cup-bound compatriot Mike Hester stand a good chance of creating some more New Zealand soccer history by controlling a match in South Africa. O'Leary and Hester, both 37, have already achieved a first for the country by being included among the 30 referees who will attend the finals tournament in June and July.

From that list, Fifa will announced in May the 24 who will referee matches, with the six others acting as reserves or fourth officials.

While assistant referee Paul Smith ran the line for three matches at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea, no New Zealander has had the whistle for a World Cup finals fixture.

"I think it's pretty good," O'Leary told NZPA of his and Hester's chances of making the cut.

"We've both worked very, very hard over the three years the programme has been running and we've got a good chance of making it."

He has been to the Fifa Club World Cup over the past three years and to the past two under-20 World Cup tournaments.

He and Hester have been involved in the A-League and the New Zealand Football Championship this season.

The 30 referees chosen by Fifa come from 28 countries and only New Zealand and Mexico have two representatives.

As well as the referees, Fifa also named the assistant referees they would team with.

O'Leary's trio has fellow New Zealander Brent Best and Mathew Taro from the Solomon Islands, while Hester has compatriot Jan Hintz and Tonga's Tevita Makasini.

NZ Football referee development officer Ken Wallace said having four New Zealand match officials go to South Africa was a "fantastic result" and an inspiration for those coming through the system.

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