Making a big noise: Referee Phillip Sung.
PHILLIP Sung has got the trifecta: he's working in two unpopular occupations and he's a traitor.
If Sung added being a parking inspector, he'd have the quadrella.
He works for the State Railway Authority as a planning officer: "My friends always make jokes when the trains run late."
Sung is a Parramatta district association rugby league referee. Nuff said.
He grew up at Baulkham Hills and follows the Cronulla Sharks instead of the Parramatta Eels.
But there is a lot more to say, and the league world is making a song and dance about Sung.
Dare it be said: It's singing his praises.
Sung has become the first Asian-born referee promoted to senior competitions since the code's inception here in 1908.
He's qualified to referee in NSW Cup, Ron Massey Cup and Holden Cup matches this year — the bridge between the junior associations and the NRL.
"That's the goal; that would be the ultimate: to be paid for doing what you enjoy," Sing said of graduating to the NRL.
In the modern game, Sing was a slow starter, however.
He came here from South Korea at seven.
"I played a bit of rugby league and a lot of basketball at school," he said.
"The thing that struck me was how much people loved rugby league, people always seemed to be discussing or constructively criticising the game and it always seemed to be out of their passion for the sport.
"It seemed like a game that was always looking at ways to improve itself, which I liked."
Sing did a double commerce-law degree and that's when he took up the whistle, at the age of 18.
"It looked interesting and referees played an important role, so I thought I'd give it a go," he said.
"I was looking for something to challenge myself and take me outside my comfort zone."