New Zealand rugby will be poorer for Steve Walsh's exit from its professional refereeing ranks.

And at the same time, there should be a few players counting their lucky stars that their loutish behaviour hasn't resulted in the same treatment dished out to Walsh.

A press release issued by the NZRU on Monday afternoon confirmed Walsh was now no longer on its pay-roll.

The release, the wording of which was signed off by the test ref, claimed that he had "retired".

However, Walsh's subsequent no-bull radio interview soon after confirmed it was anything but a pure retirement.

Frustrated at aspects of his behaviour, the NZRU affectively forced him out after he turned up to a Sanzar refereeing and coaching conference in Sydney late last year "under the influence of alcohol".

It obviously wasn't the greatest look.

But before Walsh is crucified for that, just who hasn't arrived at work in the past a little worse for wear after a night out?

And his public behaviour sure as heck didn't attract the attention of the legal system, as have some of the players he has refereed in recent times.

So the rugby union was happy to see Walsh, who has since admitted to having an alcohol issue, go while adopting a wet-bus ticket approach in recent times to players who have over-stepped the boundaries of accepted behaviour.

Without revealing the extent of their issue with Walsh, the Sydney incident was the final straw for the NZRU.

In the process they have jettisoned one of New Zealand's, if not world rugby's, best referees.

His presence had already been sorely missed in the first 11 rounds of the Rebel Sport Super 14.

Walsh was not everyone's flavour of the month, due largely to his personality.

In the past he has been involved in two high-profile on-field incidents which have impacted on his standing.

He was suspended during the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia after a sideline verbal spat with England fitness trainer Dave Reddin.

Two years later and he again faced IRB action after abusing British Lions wing Shane Horgan during the tour match against Taranaki.

But on pure refereeing ability alone, Walsh stands out head and shoulders above some who have taken charge of Super 14 action to date this season.

Walsh has made it clear that his refereeing days might not be over.

He has his own issues to conquer and he deserves to be wished all the best in that regard.

And it is clear that if he does make it back into the middle in the international arena, it won't be as a representative of the NZRU.

If that occurs, it would be an indictment on the national body.

What do you think of the treatment handed out to Steve Walsh?

Has he been made an example of? And is it a classic example of double standards given the 'punishments' handed out to players of late?